Declaration of Independence

Date: July 4, 1776

Signed by: Representatives of the Thirteen Colonies

Executive Summary

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, officially marked the American colonies’ break from British rule. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the document outlines the philosophical foundation for independence, argues that all people have inherent rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and declares that when a government becomes destructive to these rights, the people have a duty to change it. The bulk of the document lists grievances against King George III of Great Britain, which are presented as justifications for the colonies' decision to declare independence.

Key Provisions

Founding Principles
The colonies assert that all people are created equal and are entitled to unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Governments exist to protect these rights and derive their powers from the consent of the governed. If a government abuses these rights, the people have the right to change or replace it (pg. 1, para. 2).
Right and Duty to Overthrow Tyranny
The document states that a long pattern of abuses by the British crown demonstrates a plan to establish absolute tyranny. It is not only the right but the duty of the people to throw off such a government and establish new protections for their future (pg. 1, para. 3).
Grievances Against King George III
The Declaration lists 27 specific grievances illustrating how the King violated the colonies' rights:

Refused to approve laws essential for the public good (pg. 2, para. 1).
Prevented colonial governors from passing urgent laws (pg. 2, para. 2).
Made approval of laws conditional on giving up the right to representation (pg. 2, para. 3).
Called legislative meetings in remote and uncomfortable places to force compliance (pg. 2, para. 4).
Dissolved representative houses for opposing his policies (pg. 2, para. 5).
Delayed new elections, leaving colonies vulnerable (pg. 2, para. 6).
Obstructed immigration and land settlement laws (pg. 2, para. 7).
Blocked judicial systems and made judges dependent on his will (pg. 2, paras. 8–9).
Created many new offices to harass the population (pg. 2, para. 10).
Kept standing armies in peacetime without colonial consent (pg. 2, para. 11).
Made the military independent of civilian authority (pg. 2, para. 12).
Imposed foreign legal authority and allowed unjust laws (pg. 2, para. 13).
Required colonists to house British troops (pg. 2, para. 14).
Protected British troops from punishment for crimes (pg. 2, para. 15).
Blocked trade with the rest of the world (pg. 2, para. 16).
Imposed taxes without consent (pg. 2, para. 17).
Denied trial by jury in many cases (pg. 2, para. 18).
Transported colonists overseas for trial (pg. 2, para. 19).
Abolished local laws and imposed arbitrary rule in Quebec as a threat (pg. 2, para. 20).
Revoked colonial charters and altered governments (pg. 2, para. 21).
Suspended local legislatures and took over lawmaking (pg. 2, para. 22).
Waged war against the colonies and withdrawn protection (pg. 2, para. 23).
Destroyed colonial property and lives (pg. 2, para. 24).
Hired foreign mercenaries to fight against the colonists (pg. 2, para. 25).
Forced captured colonists to fight against their own people (pg. 2, para. 26).
Encouraged uprisings and supported violent attacks by Native American tribes (pg. 2, para. 27).

Efforts for Peace Ignored
The colonies repeatedly petitioned for redress, but their requests were ignored or met with more injury. The document concludes that a ruler who behaves this way is unfit to govern a free people (pg. 3, para. 1).
Appeals to British Citizens
The colonies also appealed to their fellow British citizens, but these appeals were disregarded. As a result, they now regard them as enemies in war and friends in peace (pg. 3, para. 2).
Formal Declaration of Independence
The document concludes by declaring the thirteen colonies to be free and independent states. It claims full authority to engage in international affairs and ends with a pledge of unity and mutual support by the signers (pg. 3, para. 3).

Source: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

Declaration of Independence