Challenge me.

Thanks ABNYU, you've accurately framed the debate as I intended so I will jump right in… You are correct that the founders are the signers of the Declaration of Independence; however the Declaration is not the lone founding achievement and does not in itself define the founding of the United States. That said I will approach this debate by introducing all of the major founding achievements and will assess the relative significance of each. In addition to arguing the significance of the major founding achievements, I will also argue the significance of Jefferson's contribution to each. With that, it should be clear as to whether or not Thomas Jefferson is the most significant founder of the United States of America. Declaration of Independence: Because the Declaration of Independence is the defining founding accomplishment of Thomas Jefferson and the basis of your argument, I will start there. Taking nothing away from the historical significance and inspirational qualities of the Declaration, the significance of this document to the actual founding of our country does not hold up comparatively speaking. If you were to ask the founders at the time, including Jefferson himself, they would have told you that the most important order of business at that moment was not the Declaration but the drafting of the state constitutions. Consequently, Jefferson spent his hours on the eve of drafting the Declaration, not thinking about that document at all, but rather Virginia's new constitution. The fact that Jefferson was chosen to draft the Declaration speaks to its lack of priority. To give him due credit, the decision was based in part because of his demonstrated talents for writing and Jefferson had established his Revolutionary credentials to be sure. However, he was junior to his Virginian colleagues: Pendleton, Lee, and Henry. Jefferson was selected in part because of his junior status as there were higher priorities at the time, priorities such as leading the debate for independence on the floor, state constitutions, and developing alliances with France and Spain. The last point I will make as to the relative significance of the Declaration of Independence is timing. By the time it was decided to daft the Declaration, independence was a foregone conclusion. It was no longer a matter of if we would declare, but when. We were already at war with the British, alliances were being formed, state constitutions were being drafted, and the King had rejected all attempts at reconciliation. Now, in evaluation as to the relative significance of Jefferson's contribution to the Declaration of Independence, there is no question; he is most responsible for this founding achievement. It is important to note however that John Adams also played a significant role in its success. Adams led the way in congress in the debate on its adoption. Jefferson did not participate in a single debate on the matter. Many years later, Jefferson himself hailed Adams as "The Colossus of that Congress—the great pillar of support to the Declaration of Independence, and its ablest advocate and champion on the floor of the House." (American Sphinx, 1997, Pg. 24-63, Joseph J. Ellis) (http://en.wikipedia.org...) -------------------------------------------- Drafting of individual state constitutions: The vote in congress to draft new state constitutions was in effect a vote for independence. John Adams often argued that this vote on May 15, 1776 should have been celebrated as Independence Day not July 4th when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Today, the Declaration of Independence is remembered as the great revolutionary act, but Adams and most of his contemporaries saw the Declaration as a mere formality. The resolution to draft independent constitutions was, as Adams put it, "independence itself." This also marked the first time in the world's history that a large group of communities, now thirteen independent and sovereign States, had begun the formation of their own governments under written constitutions. Thomas Jefferson played very little role in this effort. Again, he did not participate in the debates leading to the vote. John Adams described Jefferson as "a silent member of Congress". While Jefferson did draft Virginia's constitution, it was John Adams who both led these debates and drafted the pamphlet: "Thoughts on Government" which was influential in writing many of the state constitutions. Adams' framework ultimately became the basis of the United States Constitution as well. For Adams' contributions here, he is known as the "Father of Constitutionalism" (American Sphinx, 1997, Pg. 24-63, Joseph J. Ellis) (http://oll.libertyfund.org...) (http://en.wikipedia.org...) -------------------------------------------- The Revolutionary War: The significance of the Revolutionary War goes without saying. If necessary, I will be happy to argue its significance in later rounds. Here again, Jefferson played very little role in the War, aside from drafting inaccurate budgets. George Washington is the obvious significant figure here. Important to note however, is that Washington's significance is not limited to his leadership in winning the war. In doing so his status as an American revolutionary figure was unmatched. His status with both congress and the American people allowed the Founders to navigate many difficult political waters unchallenged by the public or members of congress. Washington's clout was such that there was never any question as to whom our first president would be. (Founding Brothers, 2000, Joseph J. Ellis) Drafting/Ratification of the United States Constitution: As with the Revolutionary War, the significance of the United States Constitution is obvious. Again, I can argue as much if necessary in future rounds. For this, Jefferson was in Paris and thus his participation was limited to his correspondence with James Madison. Jefferson concerned himself very little with constitutional matters - matters to which he always deferred to Madison's expertise. Rightfully so, it is James Madison who is considered the father of the United States Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. He authored both. (American Sphinx, 1997, Pg. 24-63, Joseph J. Ellis) (http://en.wikipedia.org...) -------------------------------------------- I've limited my argument to founding achievements as it is these achievements that define the significance of our Founding Fathers. I think I've made a strong case that the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's defining and only significant founding contribution pales in significance to the vote for and drafting of state constitutions, the Revolutionary War, and the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution. The Declaration of Independence is the only achievement discussed that the founding of the United States would have survived without. By extension, Thomas Jefferson cannot be considered the most significant Founding Father. At this point I consider it your burden to persuade that either Jefferson played a more significant role in these other achievements than I've portrayed, or that I am wrong and the significance of the Declaration of Independence so far exceeds that of the other major founding accomplishments that we must consider Jefferson's overall significance to be substantial. Your ball…