The Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776 a new chapter in history began when the Continental Congress issued, “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America”, commonly known as the Declaration of Independence.
Most Americans are familiar with its most famous line, “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.” This quote sought to inspire and unite the colonists through the vision of a better life.
If the Declaration contained only that single principle, it would yet be one of the most important documents ever written, as it is a fundamental truth from which all unalienable rights derive.
If you have never read the Declaration of Independence, or want to read it again, it is available to read here compliments of the National Archives.
Written by Thomas Jefferson on a single page in just 1458 words, including signatures, the Declaration of Independence explains:
Why the Declaration is being issued:
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve 
the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
The purpose of a government and where it gets its power:
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
What recourse citizens have if the government is destructive of their rights:
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
The colonists justifications for declaring independence:
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, 
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
In pleading its case and to gain further understanding and support for the American War of Independence, both within the colonies and from foreign allies, the Declaration lists 27 specific grievances against King George III, along with the actions already taken by the colonists in an attempt to right these wrongs.
The colonists declaration of independence from the British Crown:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the 
good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
In the closing line of the Declaration of Independence, the 56 signers made the following pledge:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
Next let’s take a closer look at the Constitution by clicking the button below: