Which document was authored by Thomas Jefferson?

Which document was authored by Thomas Jefferson?

• A. Declaration of Independence
• B. Federalist Papers
• C. Bill of Rights
• D. Constitution

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is identifying who wrote a key early American document. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776 for the Continental Congress to justify the colonies’ break from Britain and outline fundamental rights and the philosophy behind government. He was part of the Committee of Five chosen to prepare the declaration, and his text famously asserts natural rights and lists grievances against King George III. The other items were written by different people in different contexts: the Federalist Papers were essays by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to persuade ratification of the Constitution; the Bill of Rights were the first ten amendments largely drafted by James Madison; and the Constitution itself was drafted at the 1787 Constitutional Convention by multiple delegates, with Madison serving as the principal drafter but not exclusively authored by Jefferson.

The main idea here is identifying who wrote a key early American document. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776 for the Continental Congress to justify the colonies’ break from Britain and outline fundamental rights and the philosophy behind government. He was part of the Committee of Five chosen to prepare the declaration, and his text famously asserts natural rights and lists grievances against King George III.

The other items were written by different people in different contexts: the Federalist Papers were essays by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to persuade ratification of the Constitution; the Bill of Rights were the first ten amendments largely drafted by James Madison; and the Constitution itself was drafted at the 1787 Constitutional Convention by multiple delegates, with Madison serving as the principal drafter but not exclusively authored by Jefferson.