Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence served as a unifying document that declared the colonists' natural rights and sovereignty, inspiring patriotism and unity in the fight against British rule, ultimately leading to victory in the Revolutionary War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence played a pivotal role in the American Revolution by galvanizing the colonists to unite against the British and laying the philosophical foundation for the new nation. Actions by the British, such as imposing taxes without representation and enforcing authoritarian rule, convinced the colonists of the need for independence.
The document, grounded in Enlightenment principles and the idea of natural rights espoused by John Locke, was an assertion of sovereignty and a call to arms for the colonists to become 'free and independent states.' It inspired a sense of community and patriotism required for the diverse colonists to overcome their regional differences and fight against a common enemy.