Who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence?

• A. George Washington
• B. Thomas Jefferson
• C. John Adams
• D. Benjamin Franklin

Answer: (B)

The Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on July 4, 1776, is primarily attributed to Thomas Jefferson. He was chosen to draft the document by the Continental Congress because of his eloquent writing style and his reputation as a skilled author. Jefferson's draft included important Enlightenment ideas such as individual rights and the principles of government by consent, which became cornerstones of American political philosophy.

While other founding figures such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington played significant roles in the American Revolution and in the formation of the new government, they were not the primary authors of the Declaration. John Adams was instrumental in advocating for independence and later helped to edit Jefferson's draft, while Benjamin Franklin also contributed to the discussions and revisions. George Washington was serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army at the time and did not directly contribute to the writing of the Declaration. Thus, Thomas Jefferson's pivotal role in crafting the Declaration makes him the correct answer.