1. The colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence out of their frustration with British imposition of what the colonists saw as unfair British law and customs.The Declaration states several democratic principles, including "That all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness". The colonists also felt that a government should exist primarily for the benefit of its people, their British rulers deserving replacement. These democratic ideas were greatly influenced by John Locke, and contributed to why the Colonists declared their independence from Britain.
2.The colonists who wrote the Declaration included a list of how they felt King George III had disregarded their rights and wronged them. It was an accusation, and an explanation for king George. Some of the colonists' grievances included:
-He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures
The colonists were angry that the British involved them in their wars, and kept armies in the colonies.
-For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury
-For imposing taxes on us without our consent
-For protecting them (British soldiers), by mock trial, from punishment for any murders they should commit on the inhabitants of this state
The British soldiers were thought to receive unfair treatment, a possible example being the John Adams/Boston Massacre case.
3.The Declaration of Independence states at its conclusion the most emphatic statement, that "these United Colonies are free and independent states".The Declaration marked the beginning of the end of direct British influence over the colonies. The colonists would no longer put up with British laws, customs and influence. The colonists were ready to build their own nation with the release of this document, and were ready to defend their Declaration with war.
(1. democratic principles, 2.list a handful of grievances, and 3. the conclusion)
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