The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the 13 colonies no longer considered themselves as part of the British empire and instead regarded themselves as 13 independent states. Thomas Jefferson composed the original draft of the document, and the Continental Congress edited it to come up with a final version.

The Declaration was a formal explanation to King George III explaining why the Continental Congress had voted to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances (complaints) against King George III, and by asserting certain natural rights, including the right to revolt. Some of the grievances included: No representation of the colonies in Parliament Keeping British army in the colonies during a time of peace Allowing British Navy to force colonial sailors to fight against fellow colonials Getting the Native Americans to fight against the colonists Unfair taxes Closing the port in Boston

Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence includes four parts: Preamble Declaration of rights Colonists’ complaints Declares colonies free

Preamble of the Declaration Introduction to the Declaration of Independence Explains why the Continental Congress drew up the declaration

Declaration of Rights List the rights of the citizens All men are created equal All citizens have certain rights such as, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Republic: people form the government to protect their rights

Declares Colonies Free Colonies are “free and independent states” and they have the power to:  make war  form alliances  trade with other countries

In what year was the Declaration of Independence adopted? A)1692 B)1776 C)1789 D)1792

Who composed the original draft of the Declaration of Independence? A)George Washington B)Benjamin Franklin C)Thomas Jefferson D)James Madison

The Declaration of Independence listed the reasons that the colonies felt justified in declaring their independence. To whom was the document written? A)The Continental Congress B)The King of Great Britain C)The King of France D)The Committee of Correspondence

What were some of the grievances the colonists listed in the Declaration? No representation in Parliament Keeping British army in colonies during peacetime British Navy forcing colonial sailors to fight against fellow colonials (known as impressment) Getting the Native Americans to fight against the colonists Unfair taxes Closing the port in Boston