- Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1769, Jefferson emerged as a leading voice in the colony's resistance to British policies.
- In 1774, he attended the First Continental Congress as a delegate from Virginia, where he drafted the "Summary View of the Rights of British America," a powerful statement of the colonists' grievances.
1776: Declaration of Independence
- Jefferson was appointed to the five-person committee tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. He became the primary author of the document and crafted its powerful opening lines: "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, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
- The Declaration was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, and became a foundational document of the United States.
1779-1781: Governor of Virginia
- Jefferson served as Governor of Virginia during the critical years of the American Revolution, from 1779 to 1781. He faced challenges such as defending the state against British incursions and dealing with internal divisions within the colony.
1783: Negotiator of the Treaty of Paris
- Jefferson was part of the American delegation that negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the American Revolution. He contributed to securing U.S. independence and the recognition of its sovereignty by Great Britain.
In addition to these pivotal roles, Jefferson made significant contributions to the American Revolution through his writings, speeches, and tireless advocacy for the cause of liberty and freedom. He inspired and influenced public opinion both in America and abroad, shaping the intellectual foundation of the new nation.