The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States of America, adopted by the Continental Congress on the 4th of July, 1776. It proclaimed the secession of 13 British Colonies that were located in North America. Since that time, the United States of America has appeared on the world map as a country.
The relations between Great Britain and colonists, during the years preceding the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, grew worse. British government tried to control American ports and collect taxes. It introduced a number of laws aimed at protecting the British interests in the New World. The colonists were dissatisfied with such a course of things. The laws adopted by Great Britain resulted in economic losses. Anger and resentment have led to the idea of becoming independent from the King and British Rule.
In June 1776, Richard Henry Lee spoke to the Congress about the importance of the United Colonies to become independent. In order to compose the Declaration of Independence, a committee, which consisted of five representatives, was created. These were Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Roger Sherman. Main part of the work was conducted by Thomas Jefferson, who became the third president of the United States.
This document is extremely valuable for the whole world. It challenged the feudal system, which prevailed at that time. It declared power of people over the power of the King. This document expressed people’s desire to obtain freedom from the unjust British ruling. The central plea of Declaration of Independence was self-government. It insisted on human rights’ protection and complained the actions of George III, king of England.
It should be stated that Thomas Jefferson was a lawyer, and he understood well that the Declaration of Independence should explain the reason of Americans’ wish to become free from British Kingdom. The document enumerated the crimes, which were conducted by the British King. These were raised taxes, forcing an unwanted army, waging war with hired German soldiers. One should understand that Thomas Jefferson hyperbolized the crimes of British Government; however, he did it deliberately in order to inspire the colonists. The Declaration itself forms the last part of the document. Its main idea is the great wish of American colonists to be free, independent, and self-governed.
In order to achieve independence American people fought long and bloody revolutionary war with England. It ended in 1781, when General Cornwallis made the British soldiers leave the Yorktown and lay down their weapon. Only in 1983, British nation recognized the independence of the United States. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. This document confirmed British recognition of the United States as a new country. Moreover, British government granted generous boundaries to the colonists.
It should be stated that the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Famous Five, is one of the most valuable documents of the American nation. It proclaims freedom from British ruling and expresses people’s desire to be free. It is worth mentioning that creation of this document was the first step to independence.
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