The Declaration of Independence (1776) states that people have unalienable rights, that governments get "their just powers from the consent of the governed," and that the people may alter or abolish a government that destroys those ends; its grievances accuse the King.
The English idea that rulers are limited became, in 1776, an argument for leaving the empire. On July 2 the Second Continental Congress voted for independence; on July 4 it adopted the Declaration, drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson for a Committee of Five that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. You met its story in U.S. History I; here we read its theory.
The heart of the Declaration's theory, in the second paragraph. Tap each marked phrase.
The Declaration has four parts: an introduction ("When in the Course of human events…"); a statement of principles; a long list of grievances against "the present King of Great Britain," George III, each beginning "He has…"; and a conclusion declaring the colonies "Free and Independent States."
💡 Why it works
The grievances are the evidence for the argument. The principles say government exists to secure rights and that people may replace one that destroys them, but "not for light and transient causes." The list then tries to show "a long train of abuses": taxes "without our Consent," standing armies "without the Consent of our legislatures," trials without juries, judges "dependent on his Will alone." So the Declaration is built like a syllogism: a rule (the principles), the facts (the grievances), and a conclusion (independence).
🔑 Key idea
The Declaration states that people have unalienable rights, that governments get "their just powers from the consent of the governed," and that the people may alter or abolish a government that destroys those ends. It is a statement of principles, not law that courts enforce.
✏️ Worked example: Matching a grievance to a later protection
One grievance says the King deprived colonists "in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury." Where did Americans later write a guarantee against that?
Find the protections of jury trials in the Constitution.
Article III requires jury trials for federal crimes; the Sixth Amendment (criminal) and Seventh Amendment (civil) add more.
Answer: Article III and the Sixth and Seventh Amendments.
✏️ Worked example: Principle or grievance?
Classify: "He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
It begins "He has," and it names a specific act of the King.
Principles are general claims about all governments; grievances are charges against this King.
Answer: A grievance.
⚠️ Common mistake
Thinking the Declaration is law that courts enforce. Courts apply the Constitution and statutes; the Declaration is a founding statement of principles. It has been enormously influential, quoted by Lincoln at Gettysburg and by reformers ever since, but no court strikes down a law for violating it. Check: rights you can take to court are in the Constitution, mainly the Bill of Rights and later amendments.
Sort the phrases into the parts of the Declaration.
Practice
Pass with 3 right answers, the last 2 in a row. Each right answer earns 2 XP.