Reason for the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a critical action taken by the British colonists. Many of the colonists loved England which they regarded as home. The colonists were proud of the strength of the British empire but their feelings rapidly changed. The British government imposed taxes on the colonists, denied them the rights of English citizens and, when they protested, declared them to be rebels, made war upon them and hired foreign soldiers to attack them. The colonists could no longer be subjects of King George III and many became determined to declare themselves to be independent. Virginia led in the movement for independence, and the chairman of the Virginia delegation moved a resolution of independence. Declaration of Independence: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Many of the delegates to the Continental Congress were instructed by several colonies to vote for independence from Great Britain. On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offered a motion for independence. The congress appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman to draft a Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was convinced to write the draft, which was presented with few changes on June 28, 1776 and it was approved on July 4, 1776 as “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America.” Purpose of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence announced the separation of thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain. The armed conflict that erupted in the American Revolution steadily convinced the colonists in North America that separation from Great Britain was essential. Words of the Declaration of Independence
The words of the Declaration of Independence contain highly emotive words and phrases. Strong words such as impel, life, liberty, rights, happiness, respect, abolish, evils, suffer, injuries, justice, honor and tyranny can all be found in the Declaration of Independence. Read the words and experience the strength of feeling of the first colonists. Click the link for the full Words of the Declaration of Independence. Signing the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence was signed by the president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, then it was printed and read aloud to a crowd assembled outside in in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. How many people signed the declaration of independence? The original document containing the Declaration of Independence was written in script on parchment and signed by the 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Who signed the Declaration of Independence?
A few copies of the Declaration of Independence were printed on July 5, 1776 with the signatures of John Hancock and Charles Thompson, as the president and secretary of Congress. On August 2, 1776, the Declaration was signed by the members of Congress, whose names and states are detailed below. |
