The Declaration was written to Explain the colonists' position on the purpose of government.
List the colonists' grievances against King George III to show the legitimacy of their actions to others
Engender sympathy (and monetary support) and encourage reluctant colonists (and British subjects) to join them
Encourage foreign nations to help them
Importance
Set out the founding principles upon which the
United States came to be built.
Began a nation by declaring the answer to the
questions, “Who are we?” and “What do we
believe?” that have set the standard for freedom
around the world.
Key ideas (new and earthshaking in a world of empires and monarchies)
All men are created equal
Unalienable rights (include: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
Governments are instituted by men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
Right of the people to alter or abolish government
These United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States
The colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to [do] what Independent States may of right do