Declaration of Independence

Definition

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States, which formally declared the American colonies' separation from Great Britain and their establishment as an independent nation. It outlines the principles of self-governance and the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that were the basis for the American Revolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
2. The Declaration of Independence justified the American colonies' break from Great Britain by outlining the colonists' grievances against the British government and its tyrannical rule.
3. The Declaration of Independence declared the American colonies' independence from Great Britain and their establishment as a new, sovereign nation - the United States of America.
4. The Declaration of Independence influenced the development of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, which further codified the principles of self-governance and individual liberties.
5. The Declaration of Independence has become a symbol of American values and has inspired people around the world in their struggles for freedom and self-determination.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Declaration of Independence relates to Britain's law-and-order strategy and its consequences.
  • The Declaration of Independence was a direct response to Britain's increasingly oppressive and authoritarian rule over the American colonies. The colonists' grievances outlined in the Declaration, such as the King's tyrannical actions, taxation without representation, and the denial of basic rights, were a rejection of Britain's law-and-order strategy that sought to maintain control over the colonies through coercive means. The Declaration of Independence was a bold statement of the colonists' determination to break free from British rule and establish their own independent nation based on the principles of self-governance and natural rights.
• Describe how the Declaration of Independence influenced the early years of the American Revolution.
  • The Declaration of Independence was a pivotal document that galvanized support for the American Revolution and provided a clear ideological foundation for the war effort. By formally declaring the colonies' independence and outlining the principles of self-governance and natural rights, the Declaration inspired the colonists to take up arms and fight for their freedom. It also helped to rally international support for the American cause, as the ideas expressed in the Declaration resonated with Enlightenment thinkers and revolutionaries around the world. The Declaration's emphasis on individual liberties and the right to self-determination shaped the early goals and strategies of the Continental Army and the Continental Congress as they sought to establish a new, independent nation.
• Analyze how the Declaration of Independence influenced the development of American identity during the Revolutionary War.
  • The Declaration of Independence played a crucial role in shaping American identity during the Revolutionary War. By articulating the colonists' grievances against the British government and their aspirations for self-governance, the Declaration helped to forge a sense of shared purpose and national unity among the diverse colonies. The principles outlined in the Declaration, such as the inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, became the foundation for a new American identity that transcended colonial allegiances and centered on the ideals of freedom, equality, and self-determination. The Declaration's assertion of the colonists' right to overthrow a tyrannical government also empowered the American people to take up arms and fight for their independence, further solidifying their identity as a distinct and sovereign nation. The enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence continues to shape American identity and values to this day.

Related terms

Natural Rights: Fundamental rights believed to be inherent to all human beings, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which the Declaration of Independence states are unalienable rights.

Unalienable Rights: Rights that cannot be taken away or transferred, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Self-Governance: The principle that a people or community should have the right to govern themselves, which was a key tenet of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.