Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

Major Ideas/BreakdownMajor Ideas/Breakdown

Basic Structure

It has around 1350 words.

About 400 of those explain the principles and beliefs upon which the USA was founded.

The rest are complaints about King George III.

Basic Structure

The document can be divided into 8 parts.

4 of those parts are in the preamble.

1. reason for declarationWhen in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

1. reason for declarationWhen events occur that require one group of people to become independent from another,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

and to take their place as a separate but equal group, as is their natural right,

they should respect mankind enough to give their reasons for becoming independent

2. self-evident truthsWe 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 these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

2. self-evident truthsWe believe it is an obvious indisputable truth that

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 these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

every human being is equal in that he has natural rights that can not be taken from them

three of these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

3. the purpose of governmentThat to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

3. the purpose of governmentgovernments are created to protect these rights

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

governments get their power from the people, who allow themselves to be governed

4. reasons for getting rid of or changing governments

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it; and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

4. reasons for getting rid of or changing governments

whenever a government begins hindering the peoples’ natural rights,

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it; and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

the people have the right to change the government or get rid of it and replace it

the government’s rules & organization should be designed to maximize the safety and happiness of the people

4. changing/getting rid of governments, continued

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

4. changing/getting rid of governments, continued

we shouldn’t carelessly or frequently change or destroy governments that have been around for a while

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

history has shown that mankind endures rather than gets rid of bad governments

when a government abuses the people too much, for too long, they have the right and the duty to get rid of it and replace it

5. grievances against the kingSuch has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

5. grievances against the kingthis is exactly what happened to the colonies and why we have to change our government

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

the king repeatedly, wrongfully and illegally hurt us and rules us with tyranny

we will prove this by telling the facts to the world, which can judge them fairly

6. declaration of independenceWE, THEREFORE, the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;

6. declaration of independencewe the gathered representatives of the USA appeal to God to judge our intentions,

WE, THEREFORE, the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;

in the name of the people and with their authority we declare

that the colonies are free and independent, and rightfully so

7. rights of the statesthat they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

7. rights of the statesthe States are rightfully no longer allied or politically tied to Great Britain

that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

since the States are now free and independent just like the State of Great Britain,

they can do all the things other nations can do, such as declare war or peace, make alliances and build trade

8. the pledgesAnd for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

8. the pledgesWe support this Declaration and strongly believe it is God’s will so Go will protect us

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

we entrust each other with our lives, wealth, and honor