Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence escalated the conflict by intensifying the Colonies' drive for independence and making clear that ties with Britain were untenable. Britain's intolerable acts and the colonists' embrace of Enlightenment ideas and inter-colony cooperation made reconciliation impossible, leading to the Revolutionary War.The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence significantly escalated the conflict between the Colonies and Britain by intensifying the Colonists' desire for independence. When the Second Continental Congress drafted and sent the Declaration of Independence to Britain, they were making a clear statement of their intent to sever ties with Britain and establish their sovereignty. This decision was seen by Britain as an act of treason, threatening not only the political relationship but also Britain's economic interests under its mercantilist policies.
The colonies' increasing frustration with Britain was fueled by oppressive measures such as the Sugar and Stamp Acts, the Declaratory Act, and the Intolerable Acts. Amidst these tensions, the ideological groundwork laid by Enlightenment principles and the push for inter-colony cooperation set the stage for a unified effort toward independence. When the Declaration focused on specific incidents of the King's disregard for colonial life and liberty, it underlined that reconciliation was no longer an option, confirming that the only path forward was to fight for independence.
Thus, the correct answer to how the Declaration of Independence contributed to escalating the conflict is option B) It intensified the desire for independence in the Colonies.