Final answer:
Jefferson's declaration that 'all men are created equal' has been a cornerstone for civil rights movements, influencing significant societal and legal changes, including the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause, which aimed to combat discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "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," from the Declaration of Independence, has been utilized throughout American history as a foundational principle for various social justice movements and legal arguments that seek to expand civil rights and equality. Initially, the profound contradiction between this egalitarian ideal and the reality of slavery in America did not provoke immediate public outcry, but over time, it became a rallying call for abolitionists and later served as a cornerstone in the fight for civil rights including women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement. The words have been interpreted and reinterpreted by the courts, influencing the protection and expansion of fundamental constitutional rights in a changing society.
The application of Jefferson's words has been a driving force behind significant changes in law and society, such as the Fourteenth Amendment, which includes the equal protection clause, instrumental in cases that sought to dismantle segregation and other forms of discrimination. Today, these words remain vivid in the ongoing discourse surrounding human rights, often cited in debates over equality, indicating their lasting impact on American principles and society.