The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

In July 1776 North America’s British colonies sought independence, and the Declaration of Independence outlines the reasons why – they wanted to become their own separate nation free from the tyranny of British rule, because all men are created equal and have the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (rights that the colonies felt that British rule was denying them).

The Declaration outlines that although the colonists tried to make peace with the British, nothing could be resolved and therefore the North American colonists sought independence. The Declaration states that the new independent nation shall be called the United States of America and shall have no further ties or allegiance to Britain.