In 1776, a growing British colony on the east coast of America was struggling with oppression from Great Britain’s king and government. The colonists objected to repeated injuries and usurpation; taxation without representation, cut off trade, plundered colonial seas, constrained colonists, and sponsored domestic insurrections.
56 committed colonial leaders from 13 states stepped up to stop the tyranny. They announced their story for the world to see. We know it as the Declaration of Independence.
It was created for King George III, the colonists and the world. It was also created to rally the colonial troops, win foreign allies and announce the creation of a new country.
The first sentence states the document’s main purpose. The 13 states declared their independence by dissolving their political connection with Great Britain and to assume among the powers of the earth, separate and equal station.
The preamble begins with a statement of unity: “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen States of America,” and states “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 them are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.” These words were designed to convince the colonists to commit to the cause. It explained their right to revolution.
The body of the Declaration provides a list of grievances justifying the separation. They include a history of repeated injuries and usurpations by the King George III to establish absolute Tyranny over the States. The colonists petitioned for Redress in humble terms multiple times. The British answered their concern with further injuries to the 13 states.
The final paragraph is a Resolution of Independence. It appeals to the Supreme Judge of the world declaring “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent states, absolving their allegiance to the British Crown.”
The Declaration was approved on July 4, 1776.
56 colonial Leaders invited an estimated 2.5 million colonists to be part of the story to create a new country, the United States of America.
The signers were clearly committed to the dream. They changed our world.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Are you committed to your dream?
Wes Legg
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