Final answer:
The conclusion of the Declaration of Independence contains the actual declaration that the colonies are 'free and independent states'. It comes after the preamble, grievances, and body of the document.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the Declaration of Independence where the Americans actually declare that they are a 'free and independent country' is the conclusion of the document. This is the section that explicitly states the colonies' separation from Great Britain. It proclaims, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States…”. The conclusion follows after the introduction, the preamble, the list of grievances, and the body, which encompasses the justifications for independence based on the philosophy of natural rights and the complaints against the British king.
It is in the conclusion that the representatives pledge to support this declaration with their lives, fortunes, and honor, making a bold declaration of autonomy. The Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, remains a foundational document in American history, embodying the democratic ideals still relevant today, over 200 years later.