Declaration+of+Independence

The Declaration of Independence had to do with the American Revolution

=**To Start Out...**=

The Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress. It was (FINALLY!) finished and signed on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence declared that the 13 Colonies separated and were independent from Great Britain. The Declaration was originally and formally titled the Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America (A long and boring title, right?!). That is its title, as seen below. The Declaration was written by all members, but was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. It explained the secession (withdrawing from an alliance, federation, or assiociation. It is also used to separate from a political union, a religious organization, and so on) from the British, and it also explained the expansion of the Lee Resolution (The Lee Resolution was an act of the Second Continential Congress. It declared that the Thirteen Colonies be separate from Britain. It was passed and put into effect on July 2, 1776). A new clear copy of the Declaration was signed by most delegates on August 2, 1776. It is currently on display at the National Archives. The Declaration of Independence is still considered to be the document of the later-formed United States of America, and, of course, the day it was adopted, July 4th, is Independence Day. Here is a picture of an engrossed version of the Declaration of Independence.

Pictures
An engrossed copy of the Declaration|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||A painting of the drafting commitiee presenting to Congress =**The Dec's History**=

//A Background History//
The soon to be Americans had set up "Shadow Governments." The Shadow Governments would be used in each colony. Each Shadow Govenment would have a Continental Congress that were linked to the Government. When the war broke out in April of 1775, a year and a couple of months before the Declaration was first written, the Shadow Governments took control of each colonies' officials. The sentiment for freedom's growth sped up in response to the British' actions.

//The Drafting//
The Second Continental Congress ("The Commitee of Five") was formed to make, but first draft a declaration to frame a resolution in June of 1775. They decided that Thomas Jefferson would write the draft of the Declaration, which he would show to Ben Franklin and John Adams. Before this, both Ben Franklin and John Adams turned down the opportunity. Yet, Franklin made at least 48 changes. The Declaration of Independence was reworked in general session of the Continental Congress. On July 4, 1776, the Congress, which met in Independence Hall, finished revising Jefferson's draft and approved it. They sent it to a printer and it was signed later. At the signing, Ben Franklin was quoted. He said "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."