Why Was the Declaration of Independence Written?

The Declaration of Independence was written to declare the rights of the colonists and to separate themselves from the King. This action was a big change from the original feelings of the colonists. From the founding of the first colonies in America, the citizens believed themselves to be English citizens. They believed that they were under the rule and protection of the English King and Parliament. During the period of 1750-1775, however, the colonies were becoming angry at the fact that the King and Parliament in England were passing laws and taxes that were tyrannical. The King placed troops in the colonies to enforce the laws and collect the taxes. These troops took liberties with their power. The abuses they enacted upon the colonists included arrest and imprisonment on false charges.

The tyranny being placed upon the colonies during the 1700s caused them to form a committee to govern their own affairs. This committee outlined the offenses performed by the troops and cited all the laws and taxes that were being impressed on them without due representation in Parliament. The King ignored the complaints and continued his tyrannical actions towards the colonies. The committee formed the Second Continental Congress to deal with the unjust treatment by the King. This all ultimately led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence.

Writing of the Declaration of Independence

A committee of five men was appointed to draft a document that declared the independence of the colonies from England and the formation of a government for the colonies that held no allegiance to the King. Thomas Jefferson was the man that wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence and presented it to the Second Continental Congress for approval. The Congress voted for independence and then, the following day, approved the Declaration of Independence.

Goals of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence served three important functions.

Right to Live in Freedom

The first was that it established the rights of men to live in freedom. Under the Declaration of Independence, the freedom that they enjoyed could not be taken away by the rule of the government. The basic rights or freedoms enumerated in the Declaration of Independence included the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights were God given and could not be eliminated even by a King.

The government was established by men to rule the people with their consent and not to serve as a  monarchy that answers to no one. It also stated that if the government doesn’t rule in the best interests of the people, the people would have the right to dismantle and eliminate the government. They could then establish a government that is better suited to their needs.

Right to Representation

The second part of the Declaration of Independence was organized to systematically outline all the offenses and complaints by the colonies executed by the King and His troops. It explained the error of having no representation in the government that every citizen of England had a right to by law. The wrongfulness of taxation without representation in the Parliament that passed the taxes was also cited. The abuses of the people by the troops that were so far removed from England that the troops and government didn’t have to answer for them.

Independence from England

The final point made in the Declaration of Independence was that the colonies were abolishing any allegiance to the King and were instituting an independent government for the people of the colonies. This, in effect, was a declaration of war against the King and England. The preceding portions and this section established the reasoning and acceptability of revolt to bring about the change of government.

Writing of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. After small modifications, it was then passed on July 4, 1776. It was sent to the King in England by the English military in the colonies. This document and its receipt by the King was officially a declaration of war.

The colonies were adding to their army from the day it was published. After public proclamation of the document's contents, the public began to pull down and tear down any displays of English rule. One particular statement of approval occurred when the colonists tore down of a statue of King George on horseback and then melted down the statue and turned it into musket balls for the revolt.