Declaration of Independence
The Declaration did these things:
Stated grievances (complaints) against the king of
Great Britain
Declared the colonies’ independence from
Great Britain
Affirmed (stated) certain “unalienable rights”:
life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.
.
Established the idea that all people are equal under
the law.
Four sections of the Declaration:
1. An introduction stating the purpose of the document, which was to explain why
the American people were declaring independence from the government of
Great Britain.
2. A theory of government and individual rights generally accepted by Americans
from the 1770s until today. It says that the people have the right to overthrow
Ithe government if it violates those rights.
3. A list of grievances against King George III. These grievances justify separation
from the King's government and establishment of a government to replace it.
4. An assertion of sovereignty by the United States of America. The signatures
proclaim the determination of Americans to defend and maintain their
independence and rights.