Fallacy of the Founding Fathers

"We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."

When the delegates composed the Declaration of Independence they wrote it in reference to all rich white men, not humanity in general. Sure, a few of the founding father such as Madison didn't agree with slavery but none of them took the step towards abolishment... And women's rights? Out of the question. Thomas Jefferson once said, "Women knew their place, which was in the home and, more specifically, in the nursery."(p.5-To America)

The Americans were blind to their wrong doings; they only saw what was good for them, and their wallets. Americans condemned their prior king, King George III, for his oppression of the colonies and his tyranny, while reigning over the lives of innocent people with no remorse. Thomas Jefferson, the penman of the Declaration, speaking out for freedom and equality, owned slaves, and didn't even free them when he died. At this point, slavery in the north was no where near the caliber of the south, but free blacks in the north still had little to no rights and had to work for dwindling wages anyway.

Women in America followed the role that was taught to them, to obey the power of their husbands but this new idea of independence got women pushing to get some of it for themselves. Abigail Adams was one of these, she wrote in a letter to her husband "I desire you would remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power in the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation" (America- pathways to the present-p.113)

A subject untouched thus far in this essay is Native Americans, the founding fathers did in no way shape or form mean the declaration to include their rights. The Americans saw Indians as an opposing force, as savages and wanted nothing to do with them. Though, the way the Native Americans were treated at this time in comparison to the time of the trail of tears was considered outstanding.

I cannot deny that the declaration did start the slow winding path of equality,