Declaration of Independance

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

Author (declaration of independence)

Thomas Jefferson

Purpose (declaration of independence)

why colonies are breaking from Britain. Calls to rally troops (unify) and gain foreign allies

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”

Going away from the idea of the colonies only being used as a royal cash-colony to benefit the British Empire, as they has virtual and not actual representation

“they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that amongst these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

Enlightenment ideals of unalienable rights; John Lockes 2nd Treatise on Civil Government

“That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed'“

The governemnt is for the people, by the people, with the power of the people.

“Consent of the governed”→popular sovereignty

Jeffersons claim about rebuilding

Corrupt governemnts will be rebuilt to protect the original rights of the people, as intended.

structure (declaration of independence)

• 1. Introduction
  States the document's purpose: to explain to the world why the American colonies find it necessary to separate from Great Britain.

• 2. Preamble (Declaration of Natural Rights)
  Lays the philosophical foundation for the document. It famously asserts that all people are created equal and possess unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also outlines the social contract theory—that governments are created to protect these rights and derive their power from the consent of the governed.

• 3. Indictment of King George III (Body - Part 1)
  Serves as the longest section. It lists 27 specific grievances and abuses committed by the British King against the colonies, such as taxation without representation, cutting off trade, and denying trials by jury. This section was designed to prove that King George III had broken the social contract.

• 4. Denunciation of the British People (Body - Part 2)
  Addresses the British citizens directly. It expresses the colonists' disappointment that their "British brethren" ignored their pleas for justice and remained deaf to their shared ties. [

• 5. Conclusion (Resolution of Independence)
  Formally declares the 13 colonies to be free and independent states. This section severs all political, economic, and military ties with Great Britain and establishes the colonies' rights to levy war, conclude peace, and form alliances.