Question

Jefferson gives the impression that the colonies are breaking away with extreme reluctance and only because of forces beyond any colonist’s personal power to overlook them. How does he create this impression?

Answer 1

Jefferson creates this impression by providing a list of injuries that the king of Great Britain, their former sovereign, has done to the Colonies. Thus, he asserts that it is not the Colonies' "fault" that they seek independence. They had tried long enough to endure those troubles. However, it is their God-given right to abolish an unjust political system and create another, best suited to their needs. He mentions "the patient sufferance" and "the necessity" to change their system of government.