The+Declaration+of+Independence

The Declaration of Independence[[image:declaration-of-independence.jpg width="481" height="588" align="right"]]

 * What is the structure of the document? What format is used to present their complaints?
 * What arguments do the authors use? Are they valid? Are there enough to justify rebellion? Are they well written?

The Declaration starts out stating exactly what bad government is and that when the government infringes on the citizen's rights, the citizens have the duty and obligation to overthrow that government and set up a good government. It then states: "Such has 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 King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world." It then goes on to list the injuries the King of England has committed against the colonies, such as keeping a standing army among the colonies (even in times of peace), cutting off their trade from other parts of the world, and imposing taxes on them without their consent. The conclusion states that the colonies have petitioned humbly, only to be answered by further injury. It says "A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." The signers pledged everything they had for this country "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." At the time, they were committing high treason, but they still did it because I believe they knew it was the right thing to do. I think their points were valid. I think it was enough to probably justify a rebellion because the King ignored everything they had tried before. He didn't take them seriously. He treated them like they were little kids and wouldn't let them represent themselves and help make the laws that would be affecting them. I think England was unashamedly stepping on the Colonies and they just got tired of being stepped on and abused. I think it was very well written. It flows really well through the whole thing.