LAD #3 - the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson was essentially a list of colonists’ grievances and the justification for their claims of abuse of the King George II. He wrote, “We [the colonies] hold these truths to be self-evident”. This statement followed by the reasons the colonists’ felt justified their call for independence from Britain. It continues to say, “That all men (meaning white males, and most definitely not women and blacks) are created equal”. The Declaration of Independence states, that a government must protect the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the people. And if the government fails to do so, it is the duty of the people to overthrow the government and secure in its place one that would provide happiness and safety.

Following the opening statements of the Declaration of Independence, are the specific grievances of the colonies. The statements outright accuse King George III of abusing the colonies. “He [King George III] has kept among us [the colonies], in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures,” this demonstrates the colonists objection to the Quartering Acts which declared that all citizens if asked, would allow soldiers to sleep and eat in their household. “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world,” was one grievance that was caused by the Navigation Acts that restricted the colonies to trade solely with Great Britain and the British West Indies. “For imposing taxes on us without consent,” was one cry that was not unheard, since it was shouted as, “No taxation, without representation!”

The concluding statements of the Declaration of Independence announce the colonies’ right to be “Free and Independent States”. That those who signed it, “pledge to each other [their] lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.”