Can someone please tell me a breif summary about the decleration of independace?

Answer 1

~The Lee Resolution, the actual declaration of independence, was a proclamation written by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia and adopted by act of the Second Continental Congress. It declared the Thirteen Colonies to be independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Proposed by Lee on June 7, 1776, it was passed on July 2, 1776 by vote of delegates from 12 colonies. The New York delegation, believing they lacked the authority to vote in the affirmative, withheld their vote until July 9.

The committee of 5 proffered their document on June 28. The Second Continental Congress modified the draft and approved a final version on July 4 (again, absent the New York vote). The final draft was sent to a printer and finally signed on August 2. They did not ring the Liberty on either July 4 or August 2, as the bell tower could not withstand the stress because it was in such a state of decay.

The "Declaration of Independence" was not, and was not intended to be, unique or original, either in its prose or ideology, as stated by the authors on presentation to the congress, and it borrowed heavily on many prior works including the Lee Resolution, the Oath of Abjuration (the Dutch Republic declaration of independence -proclaimed in 1581, this was the first written declaration of independence known to the modern western world), the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the works of John Locke, the works of Thomas Paine and the British Bill of Rights, among others.

It was supported by approximately 1/3 of the colonists (1/3 were neutral and 1/3 were loyal to the rightful government) and it came about because the colonials with clout did not want to pay for services received from the British (such as massive military aid, especially during the Seven Years War (erroneously called the French and Indian War in US history books)) and the wealthy colonists wanted to expand trade markets (for manufactured goods in the north and agricultural products in the south) although the trade regulations were necessary to quell the depression which was escalating in the motherland - due in no small part to the massive cost of supporting the colonies. As Thomas Paine so succinctly put it "Give me liberty or give me debts."

In essence, the declaration is a plagiarized document which was redundant in purpose, content and effect and, although we celebrate Independence Day on July 4, was never signed until August 2: but one must have one's mythology, mustn't one?

Answer 2

It was created on July 4, 1776 by the 13 colonies that declared war to the British. It was the first official document in history to sustain the causes of the Enlightenment era philosophers: equality amongst people, the right to fight oppression, the idea that people have the right to be free and that they are in title of pursuing happiness which was regarded as a right, not a purpose.

It also declared that the colonies were no longer dependent of the metropolis, Great Britain :
"That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, 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." (Declaration text)

Answer 3

D of I was written by the colonists in response to what they perceived as their unfair treatment by England and King George III.

It begins with a very nice tribute to John Locke by quoting him and his theory of a social contract. This claims that there are certain rights that no govt. can take away and that once a govt. crosses that line it can be justifiably be overthrown.

Next it details the colonists complaints, or grievances, against George III.

Finally it declares the colonisis intention of breaking away.

Answer 4

The US Colonies were oppressed by England's monarchy and rebelled. Now parts of the Middle East are under the tyrrany of the US - maybe history will repeat itself....

Answer 5

It's a piece of paper that declares independance. *drum snare*