What document made the colonies the United States of America?
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States, was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.
What document did the colonists write?
the Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, representatives from the original 13 American Colonies came together to formally adopt a document that listed all their grievances against the British government and announce their independence from the crown. This document became known as the Declaration of Independence.
What was the Declaration of American rights?
Specifically, the declaration was the first American revolutionary document to articulate the right to “life, liberty and property,” the most common American expression of Natural Law. They wanted both their rights as Englishmen and the liberty of establishing their own government.
Why did the American colonies declare Independence?
By declaring themselves an independent nation, the American colonists were able to confirm an official alliance with the Government of France and obtain French assistance in the war against Great Britain. Independence would be necessary, however, before French officials would consider the possibility of an alliance.
When did the declaration of Independence issued?
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain.
When did the colonies support the declaration of Independence?
By the middle of May 1776, eight colonies had decided that they would support independence. On May 15, 1776, the Virginia Convention passed a resolution that “the delegates appointed to represent this colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent states.”
Where was the first copy of the declaration of Independence printed?
The first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence were turned out from the shop of John Dunlap, official printer to the Congress. After the Declaration had been adopted, the committee took to Dunlap the manuscript document, possibly Jefferson’s “fair copy” of his rough draft.
Who was the author of the declaration of Independence?
American colonies declare independence. The Declaration of Independence was largely the work of Virginian Thomas Jefferson. In justifying American independence, Jefferson drew generously from the political philosophy of John Locke, an advocate of natural rights, and from the work of other English theorists.