Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence was important because it formally announced the colonists' separation from Britain and laid out the foundations for a new nation. It enshrined democratic ideals and natural rights, influencing global movements for self-determination and inspiring the design of American government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence was a crucial document that was created and issued because it declared the colonists' independence from King George III and established a new nation based on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This document was profoundly influential, setting a precedent for future movements of independence and embodying Enlightenment principles such as the social contract theory of John Locke. The Declaration of Independence articulated the colonists' rights to revolt against a government that no longer served their interests, which had consistently abused the rights granted by British laws and ignored the principles of self-government.
When examining the provided options, the correct answer is that the Declaration of Independence declared the colonists' independence from King George III, as a new and interdependent nation (Option B). It served as a formal proclamation to the world, presenting grievances against British rule and asserting democratic principles that continue to be the foundation of American government today.