{\b The United States Declaration of Independence}.

{\b General Outline}.

The 'Declaration of Independence' was the formal announcement by the thirteen 
American states that they had severed their ties from Great Britain. It also 
was a statement of the natural rights of individuals.

  
{\b Historical Background}.

The movement for independence in the American states formally began when the 
First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in October 1774 to consider how 
to respond to the unacceptable actions of the British Parliament. Fighting 
first began in April 1775 and this became the War of Independence. 

On June 7th, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia petitioned Congress to declare 
that the "United Colonies are, and as of right, ought to be free and 
independent states". On June 11th, 1776 a Congressional committee was 
established to draft a declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the 
draft and presented it in Congress on June 28th, 1776. After some changes the 
'Declaration of Independence' was approved on July 4th, 1776.

{\b Basic Features}. 
The Declaration begins by describing the fundamental characteristics of the 
new American state. These include the principle that all individuals are 
created equal and that they have inalienable rights. Connected to this is the 
principle that it is the people who create and give power to any government.

More than one half of the Declaration is a list of grievances of the Americans 
against King George III. The tyranny of the King is explained as a broken 
compact between the ruler and the people. Since they believed that their own 
state legislatures had equal status to the British Parliament, the American 
colonies said the abuses of King George III gave them a reason to demand 
independence.

Having proven to the judgement of the outside world the case against the King, 
the 'Declaration of Independence' ends by announcing the separation of the 
American colonies from Great Britain.

{\b Conclusion}.

Although it is very brief, the 'Declaration of Independence' is a theory of 
government of worldwide importance.