Project Gutenberg 1971-12-01 Public domain in the USA. 3146 Jefferson, Thomas 1743 1826 United States President (1801-1809) The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United States Declaration of Independence]]> This is the original PG edition. See also our revised edition: #16780 See also #300 "The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America" by Thomas Jefferson is a historic and foundational document penned in the late 18th century during the American Revolutionary period. This work primarily serves as a formal statement declaring the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule, asserting their right to self-governance and independence. It encapsulates the philosophical underpinnings of democracy, highlighting fundamental human rights and the social contract between the government and the governed. The text begins with a powerful introduction that outlines the principles of equality and the unalienable rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It details the various grievances against King George III, illustrating how his actions have eroded the colonists' rights and justified their decision to seek independence. By listing these grievances, the document seeks to assert the colonies' legitimate claim to self-determination. The Declaration culminates in a solemn proclamation of independence, stating that the colonies are entitled to be free and independent states, free from British authority and capable of forming their own alliances, levying war, and engaging in commerce. The Declaration's closing emphasizes the signers' mutual pledge to support this cause, reinforcing the commitment of the colonists to their newly proclaimed liberty. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 52.1 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. en United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources United States. Declaration of Independence E201 JK Text Politics American Revolutionary War United States Law Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches Category: History - American Category: History - Modern (1750+) Category: Philosophy & Ethics Category: Politics 55689 2025-07-01T03:30:07.082470 text/html 131981 2024-12-06T23:05:17 text/html 2276706 2025-07-01T03:30:14.492429 application/epub+zip 2273614 2025-07-01T03:30:10.601471 application/epub+zip 77388 2025-07-01T03:30:09.271493 application/epub+zip 2477131 2025-07-01T03:30:16.382392 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 2468145 2025-07-01T03:30:13.509490 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 251909 2022-09-01T03:30:13.576159 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 127192 2025-07-01T03:30:06.592439 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 121041 2024-12-06T23:06:52 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 20157 2025-07-01T03:30:16.518422 application/rdf+xml 23995 2025-07-01T03:30:09.764421 image/jpeg 4691 2025-07-01T03:30:09.517485 image/jpeg 45741 2021-01-01T05:10:10 application/octet-stream application/zip 2189844 2021-01-28T05:38:53 application/octet-stream application/zip 2250874 2025-07-01T03:30:07.124463 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia