Final answer:
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to justify the American colonists' desire for freedom from British rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence, based on the passage, was to justify the American colonists' desire for freedom from British rule. The document outlined the grievances against the British king and asserted the rights of the colonists to establish a new government.
It was inspired by Enlightenment principles of sovereignty and natural rights, particularly the social contract theory of John Locke. The Declaration of Independence set the stage for the American Revolutionary War and served as a landmark in the history of independence movements worldwide.
The primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to articulate and justify the American colonists' quest for independence from British rule.
Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the document, adopted on July 4, 1776, eloquently outlined grievances against King George III, asserting the inherent rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It not only declared the thirteen colonies as free and independent states but also served as a foundational statement on the principles of self-governance and individual rights.
The Declaration galvanized support for the American Revolution, crystallizing the philosophical underpinnings that shaped the emerging United States of America.