Before the Declaration:
Before 1776, the United States of America was not a country. The individual states
were colonies of the British Empire. They were called British Colonies. This means that
the King and Parliament of Great Britain ruled the Colonies.
Effects:
During this time, many American people were angry at Great Britain. Many Americans did
not like paying taxes to Great Britain when they did not have anyone to speak for them
in Parliament. The American people wanted to be treated like British citizens. When they
were not treated like everyone should have the right to have the freedom of speech and
that all men and women are created equal
Taking action
Jefferson drafted the Declaration on this portable lap desk, which he designed himself
Responding to actions taken by Great Britain, including the Intolerable Acts, the different
colonies formed a Continental Congress to make decisions for all of the colonies. They met
in the American city of Philadelphia. During a meeting of the Second Continental Congress,
on June 11, 1776, they chose five people to write a document that would become the
Declaration of Independence. These people were:
John Adams, from the Massachusetts Bay Colony
Benjamin Franklin, from the Province of Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson, from the Virginia Colony
Robert R. Livingston, from the Province of New York
Roger Sherman, from the Connecticut Colony
The Declaration of Independence
What it says.
Jefferson did most of the writing.[2][3] In the Declaration, Jefferson starts by writing about
people's rights, and what the government should and should not do. This part of the
Declaration is called the Preamble. He then lists specific bad things that the British
government did to the colonies. He says these included putting people in jail with no
reason; making taxes that were too high; and not respecting people who lived in the
colonies.
Agreeing on the Declaration:
This famous painting shows the five men who wrote the Declaration showing their work to the Congress. [4]
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress argued about the Declaration and made some
changes to it. After making changes, they approved the Declaration. They declared
their independence from the British Empire that day, at the Pennsylvania State House.
However, the Continental Congress did not officially approve the Declaration until July 4.
On that day, twelve of the thirteen groups that represented the colonies approved and
ordered the Declaration to be printed. (The Province of New York did not vote.) This
version of the Declaration was signed only by the President of the Congress, John Hancock.
On July 15, the New York group agreed with the rest of the colonies' groups. This meant
that everyone in the Congress agreed on the Declaration.
On July 19, the Declaration's title was changed from "A Declaration of the Representatives
of the United States of America in General Congress assembled" to "the unanimous
declaration of the thirteen United States of America."
Overall, 56 men signed the Declaration. However, some people signed at different times.
Many people signed a parchment paper copy of the Declaration on July 2.[5] Many of these
signers were not there when the original Declaration was adopted on July 4.[5] One
signer, Matthew Thornton, from the Province of New Hampshire, signed on November 4,
1776.[5]
Effects of the Declaration:
The Declaration of Independence had many different effects.
Effects on Great Britain
When the King of Great Britain, King George III, and Parliament heard about the
Declaration, they were angry. Great Britain and the people in America had already been
fighting in a war called the American Revolution. America won the war, and in 1783 Great
Britain had to recognize the independence of the new country, the United States, at
the Treaty of Paris.
Effects on America:
The people of America know that the Declaration of Independence is very important. Every
year on July 4, they have a holiday called 'Independence Day'. They celebrate this holiday to
remember the day that the Declaration was approved, and the day that the United States of
America became its own country. They often celebrate with parades, fireworks, and songs.
The Declaration of Independence also talks about the simple ideas that the people who
started the United States believed in. It says that every person in this U.S has the right to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also says that the government has to listen to its
own people. These things were what made America a free independent country
Why is the Declaration of Independence important today? | eNotes
The Declaration of Independence is still important today because it signifies the birth of a nation,
instructs free citizens and provides hope for all people who want to be free.
The Declaration is the birth certificate of America. It is the document formally declaring the intent of the
colonies to govern themselves apart from the English crown. The Fourth of July is celebrated just as we
celebrate a person's birthday. It stands as the symbol of the beginning of a powerful statement; the power
of the government comes from those governed.
It also serves as instructions to American citizens. The Declaration commands the people to "alter or to
abolish" any government when it becomes destructive and fails the people. It is important because it
reminds us it is the responsibility of the citizen to take part in the government. It also reminds us the
reasons the United States separated from England. The listing provides valid reasons then, and they have
not grown any less valid over time.
Finally, the Declaration serves as a beacon of hope to anyone enslaved. Many countries in Latin and
South America base their Constitutions on the United States. These countries followed the pursuit of
freedom outlined in the Declaration of Independence. Although it specifically outlines the grievances
with the King of Great Britain, it also speaks of "governments" in the generic form, sparking the
imagination that no government is beyond reproach.
The Declaration of Independence is important because it assures Americans of our past, reminds us to be
participants in our present and provides a beacon of hope to the world for the future. It is our history, our
lineage and our legacy to uphold.
