1. The Declaration of Independence Taking a deeper look into it

2. Sections of the document 1. Introduction 2. Preamble 3. Indictments (Grievances) 4. Denunciation 5. Conclusion 6. Signatures

3. Introduction This is an attempt to legally and philosophically justify the revolution Asserts Enlightenment concepts of Hobbes with the idea of Natural Law: “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.”

4. Preamble These passages reveal the Enlightenment influences of John Locke with his Two Treatises of Government” Also outlines a general philosophy that justifies revolution

5. Indictments / Grievances In this section Jefferson condemns the behavior of King George III This is a list of KingGIII’s tyrannical acts that have forced colonists hands for rebellion. A statement of repeat offenses of KingGII’s against the colonists.

6. Denunciation In this section the perspective changes from the attack on KingGIII to now the British citizens Jefferson puts blame on the British citizens because the colonists have reached out to them, and have received no outcry for justice According to Jefferson, the colonists have to break now because of lack of support from their British kin Finishes the case for independence of the colonies

7. Conclusion The signers agree that there are conditions in which a people must rebel against their oppressor. KingGIII had produced conditions that have forced the hand of the colonists to sever political ties with the British crown This is where the delegates declare independence. The delegates understood they were committing a treason-ess act, and if the revolution was unsuccessful they would all hang

8. Signatures The first and most popular signature is that of John Hancock, who was the president of the Continental Congress Other signatures include two future Presidents (Jefferson and Adams) 56 signatures in total representing the now new 13 states.