What does the Declaration of Independence do?

The Declaration of Independence fundamentally serves as a formal assertion of the American colonies' separation from British rule. In 1776, it was adopted to articulate the colonies' reasons for rejecting British authority and to claim their status as independent states. The document outlines the philosophical underpinnings of this separation, particularly the concepts of natural rights and the idea that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. This declaration not only marked the birth of the United States but also represented a transformative moment emphasizing individual liberties and self-governance.

The other choices stem from different historical contexts and documents crucial to the formation of the United States, but they do not encapsulate the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence itself.