Think of some times in your life when you felt particularly independent. Maybe the first day of summer, when school is out. Or the moment you got your driver's license or a new bike. That feeling of no more school requirements, supervision, and authority and free to do what you want.
The 18th century independence movement in the American colonies was based on a desire for more of that feeling among the American colonists - the desire to be free. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a critical action in creating the United States of America and promoting independence from colonial rule. The pursuit of freedom and the creation of new states were direct results of the words and actions taken in the British colonies in 1776 during the American Revolution. In this article, we summarize the major parts and details with an overview of key facts and dates so you will know the basics and some extra details about this powerful document.
The Declaration of Independence - Definition
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed and soon signed a document that separated the 13 colonies from Great Britain. The article, written by Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed and justified the bold move by the colonies in rebellion. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the most important documents in American History.
Fig. 1: Declaration of Independence
Importance of the Declaration of Independence
The document outlines the basic individual rights of man and the rights of citizens to replace an unjust government. The basic equality of human beings is clearly expressed by Jefferson. These fundamental rights form the basis of the United States and agreed-upon ideals and freedoms not granted to humans by a government, but instead decreed at birth with a divine right conferred.
The expressed dissolution of political dependency on the English Crown was made clear and the basis for this split was explained. Even though actual fighting in the revolution had been underway for 14 months, the Congressional delegates believed a formal announcement was required.
Origins of the Declaration of Independence
Rebellion against the crown had been increasing since the 1760s. As new taxes and military presence increased in the colonies, many independence-minded activists organized a movement. Events of the American Revolution had been growing and by 1775, turned into military conflict as colonial militias in Massachusetts battled British regulars.
Less than two months after the armed conflict began, a motion was made at the Second Continental Congress as it met in Philadelphia. The drafting of an official document stating the intents of a new nation was agreed upon and Thomas Jefferson set to work on writing what would be known as the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson’s first draft argued that men had “unalienable rights” including “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson further explained the basis for revolution against a government that violates these basic rights of man and detailed the violations committed by the English King and Parliament.
Jefferson wrote a summary of the role of government to protect these basic freedoms and that their power was derived from “the consent of the governed” The approval of his document on July 2nd and ratification by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, marked the official end of the colonial relationship and the beginning of a new nation. The formal announcement in the colonies resulted in celebration and fireworks as the word made its way by mouth and by newspaper. More colonists joined the cause of revolution, including enslaved people and free blacks who hoped to benefit from their role in a new nation based upon the Declaration’s assertion that all men are created equal". Still, many Loyalists were opposed to the move and revolutionary measures.
The Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution
The 13 British Colonies experienced decades of unrest over taxation, representation in Parliament, the Quartering of British Troops in the home of civilians and other perceived grievances. While many colonists were loyal to King George III, a growing number were more and more outspoken against British rule. After the French and Indian War (Seven Years War in Europe) ended in 1763, an independence movement strengthened.
An assembly of concerned prominent colonial members formed the First Continental Congress and met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. The Congress discussed taxation, the failure of the King to address previous concerns, and denounced the denial of liberty.
The members called for a boycott of British goods and wrote to King George III with a plan to reconvene in May 1775. Before the Second Continental Congress met, the Battles of Lexington and Concord initiated a war of rebellion and by July, all ties were severed.
The document finalized and approved on July 4, 1776, was later characterized by its author in the following way:
The Declaration of Independence...[is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and of the rights of man.”
—Thomas Jefferson, 1819
The impact of the Declaration on the war was that an official announcement had been made and the colonists in rebellion organized their resolve to win their independence militarily.
The Declaration of Independence Selected Text and Summary
First, the colonies state their intentions.
“In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."Next, the colonies frame the justification of their actions.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The colonies base their move to form a new country.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
5 Parts of the Declaration of Independence
There are five sections of this pivotal document.
Introduction
The colonies state the reasons for leaving Great Britain.
Preamble
States the basis for separation and lists individual rights. Also contains the most famous line, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Body - Section 1
Lists the grievances against the King. This is the longest section and details the multitude of concerns.
Body - Section 2
Explains past grievances and addresses concerns that were unmet or not addressed by the King or Parliament.
Conclusion
Declares freedom and independence of government. Importantly, this section points out that the colonists were fully committed and expected to suffer if necessary “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” The level of commitment to fight and suffer in the cause of liberty is made clear.
The Declaration of Independence Important Dates
June 7, 1776 A resolution for independence is introduced.
June 11, 1776 Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence.
July 2-4, 1776 The Declaration is debated in Congress.
July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence is ratified.
August 2, 1776 The first 50 signers mark the document. Six more sign by January 1777.
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The table below shows the people who signed the declaration of independence.
Colony | Signers |
Massachusetts | John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry |
Rhode Island | Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery |
Connecticut | Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott |
Delaware | Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean |
Georgia | Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton |
Virginia | George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton |
South Carolina | Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton |
New York | William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris |
Maryland | Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton |
| North Carolina | William, Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn |
Pennsylvania | Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross |
New Jersey | Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark |
New Hampshire | Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton |
Fig. 2: Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence: Interesting Facts
There were more than 86 edits to the document with whole sections removed.
John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress signed first. The remaining 55 signatories signed their names in smaller print.
Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson abbreviated their first names when signing.
All signers became official enemies of England with public proof of their role in the American Revolution.
The Declaration, as well as the Constitution and Bill of rights, are on display at the National Archives in Washington D.C.
King George III did not receive a copy of the document for months due to ship transit time.
The two youngest signers of the Declaration were 26 years old. (Edward Lynch, Thomas Lynch Jr.)
The oldest signer was 70-year-old Ben Franklin.
Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died exactly fifty years to the day after the signing.
The two states with the greatest number of signers were Pennsylvania (9) and Virginia (7).
Did you know that during WWII, the Declaration was moved to Fort Knox under the protection of the U.S. Army along with national gold supplies?
Fig. 3: John Trumbull painting of Declaration presentation
Effects of the Declaration of Independence
The justification for American Independence was formally announced in the Declaration of Independence. The pursuit of liberty was based on a combination of legal rights under a government and the natural rights of man. The line, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” has been the focus of debate and examination, especially in regard to slavery and equal rights for women.
Numerous declarations of independence were proclaimed in nations globally, referencing the U.S. document as a model. Abraham Lincoln, abolitionists (John Brown and Frederick Douglas), and suffragists (at Seneca Falls) alike based their argument for equal rights on the wording of the Declaration.
In America, Independence Day is celebrated annually on the Fourth of July, and the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center was intentionally built to a height of 1776 feet.
The Declaration of Independence - Key takeaways
- On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was ratified.
- The anniversary of the ratification is celebrated in America annually as Independence Day.
- The 56 signers came from all 13 colonies and John Hancock signed it first in a prominent script.
- The document officially severed ties to the English crown and justified the action.
- There are five sections of this pivotal document. (Introduction, preamble body 1, body 2, and a conclusion)
The justification for American Independence was formally announced in the Declaration of Independence as a combination of legal rights under a government and the natural rights of man.
The Declaration became the written underpinning of the American Revolution leading to the creation of the United States of America with a written constitution.
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