The Declaration of Independence is the central document of American history.
While previous declarations of American rights had listed, "life, liberty, and property"
as three of the primary concerns, Jefferson opted for the much more meaningful phrase
"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
This new approach was centered on a much more optimistic view of America's future, and the
spirit of the document was key to establishing the principles that would make the United
States of America the country it is today.
What else did the Declaration of Independence state?
Adams' prediction that the 2nd day of July would be "the great anniversary festival"
of America proved false as Congress chose to edit Jefferson's declaration before approving
it.
None of these changes were accomplished without serious debate, and once again John Adams
proved to be the bulldog of the Revolution by "fighting fearlessly for every word" of
Jefferson's writing.
Two key omissions were criticisms of the English people themselves and a harsh indictment of
King George III for imposing slavery on the American colonies.
Jefferson agonized over the "mutilations" of his document, but the alterations made
the declaration more acceptable for the colonies as a whole.
The Declaration consists of four major sections.
It contains a preamble (introduction) to justify the adoption of the document.
The second paragraph, known as the "social contract" reads:
"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.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed.
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".
Part three of the document goes on to state a long list of grievances against King George
III and Parliament.
The crimes committed by the British Government included "Cutting off our trade with all parts
of the word" and "imposing taxes on us without our consent."
The document also states that Americans had "Petitioned for Redress in the most humble
terms", but that the petitions "have been answered only by repeated injury."
The Declaration of Independence concludes by announcing America's independent status
as a nation: "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 the 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; 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 do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.
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."