LAD #3: The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence                    

1.)  The introduction of the Declaration of Independence centers around the fact that all men are created equal and they all have certain rights that they cannot be denied.  It goes on to explain that if a government is restricted these rights of men that they have a right to dispose of the government.  The people have the right to overthrow a government which does not have their best interests in mind and does not fit their needs.  If this is true of a government the men must overthrow it and replace it with a government that does fit the needs of it's people.  The introduction closes by stating that Britain has taken advantage of the colonies in this manner and it will not be tolerated.

2.)  The Declaration of Independence includes many grievances of the colonists but some are exceptionally important.  They complained that the King did not pass laws that were necessary in the colonies nor did he allow the governors to.  He has interfered with the colonists right to a representative body because of their protest of his actions.  Colonists said that even in times of peace the King kept his standing armies, made colonists provide them a place to stay, and protecting them from murder charges that were committed against Americans.  The King cut off colonists trade with other countries and imposed taxes on them without their consent.  He had taken away the colonist's charters and suspended their legislatures.  The colonists also believe that the King had evoked the Indians to attack colonists and had not done anything to stop it.

3.)  To close the Declaration of Independence they explain that they have tried to end these practices before but they are never addressed by the King and that the King's actions are those of a tyrant.  The colonists explain that they did not want to fight with the British but they have been ignored and therefore they must separate from Britain.  To finish they declare the colonies to be free and independent states with no obligations to the King.  The colonies have the power to rule their own country and they pledge their lives to one another.