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Declaration of Independence is a document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 declaring the North American colonies (now the United States of America) politically independent from the British Empire (Crown and Parliament). It is considered a "founding" document of American government (along with the later Constitution of 1789) because it presents the dominant political theory of the United States.
The philosophy of the Declaration of Independence is the natural right, social contract view of John Locke. It presents a British liberal view of human nature, society, and government. Individuals are seen as "free, equal and independent," possessed of reason and the natural rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," which form a government to protect those rights. When a state violates those natural human rights (to own private property and to enjoy liberty of movement, thought, and religion) the people can replace the rulers with a government that properly secures those human rights. The American Revolution (1776-83) was justified on these ideas originating in John Locke's Second Treatise of Government. The Declaration of Independence listed numerous violations of the American colonists' rights, including unfair taxes ("taxation without representation" in Parliament), military rule over civilian government, restriction on free trade, interference with religious liberty, and suspension of trial by jury. All led to oppression and tyranny.
Great Britain regarded American independence as treasonous and sent the British army and navy to force the colonies to remain loyal to king and Parliament. The American Revolution concluded with the colonies winning their political independence and nationhood. Consequently, the principles of national independence in this declaration have been adopted by many colonies and oppressed peoples (such as Mexico, African countries, Vietnam, and the democratic Chinese students' movement). The ideals of consentual, representative government in the Declaration of Independence continued in the foundation document of the American republic: the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson's statement in the declaration that "all men are created equal" was employed by President Abraham Lincoln in arguments for the emancipation of slaves in the United States and the Confederacy during the Civil War.
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