DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

POLITICAL THEORY

• We hold these truths to be self evident.
• Unalienable rights life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

POLITICAL THEORY

• Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.
• It is their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security.

INJURIES AND USURPATIONS

• Such as been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
• The history of the present kind of Great Britain.

INJURIES AND USURPATIONS

• Refused to asset laws
• Forbidden his governors to pass laws
• He has called together legislative bodies
• He has obstructed the Administration of justice
• He has affected to render the military independent

FORMAL PROCLAMATION

• These colonies are ought to be free and independent states.
• They are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown.

FORMAL PROCLAMATION

• Full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce.
• We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.