Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776

• Audience
  • Foreign governments (for possible aid/support)
  • Nationals in the 13 colonies (get more support)
  • Canada / other British colonies
• Starts: Equality, natural rights, representative government
  • Right and duty to abolish government if it does not protect those
• Why?
  • Structural issues
    • Removing legislative authority
    • Judges reliant on the crown for $$ & appointment
  • Specific issues
    • Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
    • Quebec Act
      • 1775
      • No legislative authority in Quebec at the time
      • There are also anti-Catholic (Quebec) sentiments in the colonies
    • Using foreign (German) mercenaries
    • Encouraging slave insurrection
    • Encouraging native peoples to fight

Articles of Confederation