What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Why This Matters

The USCIS interviewer asks this question to make sure you know the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. The answer is simple: it announced America's independence from Great Britain. But understanding why that matters will help you remember it clearly.

Before 1776, the thirteen American colonies were ruled by Great Britain. Many colonists had grown unhappy with British taxes and laws that were imposed without their consent. After years of tension, colonial leaders decided to formally break away. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft a document explaining this decision to the world. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration did more than just say "we are leaving." It explained why the colonies had the right to separate. It argued that all people have natural rights, and that when a government fails to protect those rights, the people can create a new government. This was a bold statement to make to the most powerful empire in the world. The Declaration of Independence is the reason Americans celebrate the Fourth of July as the nation's birthday.

Key Facts

• The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, now celebrated as Independence Day
• Thomas Jefferson was the principal author, with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams
• The Declaration was addressed to King George III of Great Britain and the world at large
• Fifty-six delegates from the thirteen colonies signed the Declaration
• The Declaration states that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed"

Common Mistakes

• Saying the Declaration "set up the government", that was the job of the Constitution, written eleven years later in 1787
• Saying the Declaration "gave Americans their rights", it declared that people already have natural rights; it did not create new legal rights
• Confusing the Declaration of Independence with the Constitution, they are two completely separate documents with different purposes

Study Tip

Focus on the word "independence" in the name. The Declaration of Independence declared independence. It announced to the world that the colonies were no longer part of Great Britain. If you remember that the name tells you exactly what it did, you will never get this one wrong.