THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE document in American history used by the 13 British North...

THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

document in American history used by the 13 British North American colonies to proclaim their independence from Great Britain.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted in final form on July 4, 1776.

divided into three : the rights of man and the legitimacy of revolution, a list of specific grievances against England’s King George III, and a formal claim of independence.

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British colonial control

A number of events led to the Declaration of Independence. The British-American triumph in the French and Indian War (1754-1763) was particularly significant.

caused France to lose its North American empire, but also led to changes in Britain’s relationship with its own colonies.

After the war, the British government decided to reorganize its overseas empire. The country was heavily in debt because of war expenses.


British government taxe levy

The British government decided to maintain a 10,000-man army to protect the colonies from Native Americans and new French threat.

Parliament ordered taxes to be levied on imports, and passed the Sugar Act in 1764 ) and the Stamp Act in 1765 to raise revenue in the colonies. to pay for one-half of this army.


Early colonial Resistance

Colonial Americans viewed the measures quite differently. Some colonists objected to the unaccustomed British enforcement of customs collections.

But the Stamp Act led to the most serious resistance. American protestors objected to the fact that Parliament, which contained no colonial representation, had passed a tax on the colonists to raise revenue.


Patriotic organizations

Angry colonists formed patriotic organizations called the Sons of Liberty and encouraged Americans to resist the tax by whatever means necessary.

A Stamp Act Congress met in New York City to discuss colonial grievances and petition the king and Parliament to withdraw the tax.

The Americans also disagreed with the British over the concept of representation.

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TAXES ON TEA

The Stamp Act controversy set the pattern for future conflict over imperial policy. In 1767 Great Britain passed the Townshend Acts, which placed duties on a variety of items imported by the colonies.

Once again the colonists formed committees, arranged a boycott, and pressured Parliament to repeal the acts. Rising tensions also led to the Boston Massacre.

On December 16, 1773, an organized mob in Boston dumped East India Company tea into the harbor in what has become known as the Boston Tea Party.

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Independence Resolution

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia, proposed 'that the united colonies ought to be free and independent States.

The measure sought to end America’s allegiance to the Crown and political connection with Great Britain.

A committee to draft a formal statement of independence was appointed;Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.


JEFFERSON’S DECLARATION

The task of drafting the declaration fell to Jefferson, who was known for his powerful writing style. Jefferson divided the document into three major parts.

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams made some adjustments to Jefferson’s draft before the committee submitted it to the Continental Congress on June 28, 1776.

Representatives officially voted for independence on July 2, 1776.


THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE document in American history used by the 13 British North...

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