Declaration of Independence Analysis
· Directions: Please read the Declaration of Independence document and then answer the following questions. For questions 3 through 10, please use complete sentences.
1. When was the document created?
2. Who created or authored the document? I have provided the answer.
The Continental Congress created a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was the lead author.
3. In yur own words, please summarize the document. What is the main claim (or claims) presented in the document? What evidence is presented to support the claim(s)?
4. In the beginning of the document, Jefferson used the phrase “[t]he unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” At the time, there were thirteen states. Why do you think it was important for Jefferson to include this phrase? What did it signal?
5. In the Declaration, Jefferson stated that “all men are created equal.” What do you think he meant by the phrase?
6. In the original draft of the Declaration, Jefferson included a negative reference to the institution of slavery. Why do you think that reference was removed from the document?
7. The word “He” is repeated frequently throughout the document. Who was “He”? What did “He” do to the Americans? Please give specific examples.
8. Who was the intended audience for the document at the time it was written?
Declaration of Independence Analysis
9. Why did the Continental Congress write this? What was their motive?
10. Since its creation in 1776, how has the meaning or the importance of the Declaration of Independence changed over time?
·, on the “Written Document Analysis Worksheet” created by the Education Staff, National Archives and Records Administration.
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When was the document created, Who created or authored the document, In your own words summarize the document including claims and evidence, Why did Jefferson include the phrase “the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,” What did Jefferson mean by “all men are created equal”
Comprehensive Answer
1. When was the document created?
The Declaration of Independence was created on July 4, 1776.
2. Who created or authored the document?
The Continental Congress created a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was the lead author.
3. In your own words, please summarize the document. What is the main claim (or claims) presented in the document? What evidence is presented to support the claim(s)?
The Declaration of Independence asserts that the thirteen American colonies had the right to break away from Great Britain and form their own nation. The main claim is that all people have natural rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and when a government fails to protect these rights, the people may alter or abolish it. The evidence presented includes a list of grievances against King George III, such as imposing taxes without consent, dissolving colonial legislatures, and maintaining standing armies in peacetime. These examples supported the colonies’ decision to declare independence.
4. In the beginning of the document, Jefferson used the phrase “[t]he unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” At the time, there were thirteen states. Why do you think it was important for Jefferson to include this phrase? What did it signal?
Including this phrase emphasized unity among all thirteen colonies. It signaled to Britain and the world that the decision was not the will of a few individuals or regions, but the collective and unanimous choice of the united colonies. This strengthened their legitimacy and solidarity in declaring independence.
5. In the Declaration, Jefferson stated that “all men are created equal.” What do you think he meant by the phrase?
Jefferson meant that people are born with inherent rights and that no one is naturally entitled to rule over another. At the time, this was directed against monarchies and hereditary privilege. However, the phrase was not applied universally, as enslaved people, women, and Indigenous peoples were excluded from its immediate protections.
6. In the original draft of the Declaration, Jefferson included a negative reference to the institution of slavery. Why do you think that reference was removed from the document?
The reference was removed to avoid dividing the colonies. Southern states relied heavily on slavery for their economies, and condemning the practice might have fractured the fragile unity needed for independence. The omission was a political compromise to ensure all thirteen colonies supported the Declaration.
7. The word “He” is repeated frequently throughout the document. Who was “He”? What did “He” do to the Americans? Please give specific examples.
“He” referred to King George III of Great Britain. The document lists many grievances against him, such as dissolving representative houses, cutting off colonial trade, imposing taxes without consent, and denying trial by jury. These actions portrayed him as a tyrant unfit to rule free people.
8. Who was the intended audience for the document at the time it was written?
The intended audience was both domestic and international. It was written for the colonists to explain why independence was necessary, and for foreign nations, such as France and Spain, to justify their rebellion and seek support.
9. Why did the Continental Congress write this? What was their motive?
The Continental Congress wrote the Declaration to formally sever political ties with Britain and justify their actions to the world. Their motive was to affirm their right to self-government, gain international recognition, and rally support for the revolutionary cause.
10. Since its creation in 1776, how has the meaning or the importance of the Declaration of Independence changed over time?
Initially, the Declaration was a practical statement of independence. Over time, it became a symbol of democracy and freedom, inspiring movements for civil rights, women’s rights, and global struggles for self-determination. Its language, especially the phrase “all men are created
