21 pages • 42 minutes read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The Declaration of Independence is one of the founding documents of the United States of America. The text was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson in June of 1776 after the Second Continental Congress appointed him the chair of the Committee of Five (the others were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman), a group designated to draft a statement declaring the American colonies independent from Great Britain. Jefferson based his draft on existing documents such as George Mason’s draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Enlightenment-era texts by authors such as John Locke. Jefferson would later say he was not striving for originality but to express the American mind. The Continental Congress edited Jefferson’s draft and signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776. John Dunlap printed copies of the Declaration that same night. Today, the original document is among the most important in American history and is on display in the rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC.
This study guide makes use of the transcription of that version produced by the National Archives.
The Declaration opens with a preamble explaining why the document was created: It is necessary to provide reasons when one nation severs its political ties to another.
Unlock all 21 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,850+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
American Revolution
View Collection
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Books on U.S. History
View Collection
Equality
View Collection
Nation & Nationalism
View Collection
Philosophy, Logic, & Ethics
View Collection
Politics & Government
View Collection
Required Reading Lists
View Collection