The Declaration of Independence

Excerpts from the works of Locke, Paine, Adams, Franklin, and others provide an in-depth look at ideas on slavery, government, liberty, and human nature as the Continental Congress drafted, debated, and approved the Declaration of Independence. Revealing details on the changes made to Jefferson's original draft and the final version are shown, along with excerpts from the later "Declaration of Women's Rights," comments by Lincoln, and the "Black Declaration of Independence."