In 1776 a document was published that was so profound, far-reaching and timeless that it is still used to define our basic rights as U.S. citizens. The Declaration of Independence is a script declaring freedom for the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and was signed on July 4, 1776 by fifty-six delegates in Philadelphia. This was created because the colonists believed that they weren’t being treated fairly and the British king was not supporting their rights. It was written by the Continental Congress but the main writers were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, John Adams, and Robert R. Livingston. This contract contains four sections. In these four sections the document expresses three main ideas; life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
The introduction to the Declaration of Independence is considered as the statement of purpose. In this first section, the preamble, Jefferson argued that all men possess certain unalienable rights. These rights should be enjoyed by all citizens. It also declares that sometimes people need to form their own nation if their rights aren’t being respected as they should be. …show more content…
It outlines the specific rights for all people and states that these rights cannot be taken away. Jefferson claimed that King George III had violated the colonists’ rights by passing unfair laws and interfering with colonial governments. He also accused the British king of taxing colonists without their consent. The presence of the massive British army enforced King George III’s orders against the colonists. Jefferson stated that the basic rights were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are also known as the Bill of