The Declaration of Independence is undoubtedly one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. The relative importance of such a document can hardly be compared to any previous formal presentation known to modern people. Yet, it can be compared to a simple grievance list offered by today's unions. I like to compare it to an embattled divorce decree. .
The Declaration of Independence is the historic document in which the American Colonies declared their freedom from the United Kingdom. This being a bold maneuver truly making a statement to the Crown of King George III. Though the populace was far from unanimous, the decision to create and present the document was decided by the Second Continental Congress, on a proposal by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, due to the events from the preceding decade of tension between the colonies and the United Kingdom.
There were several events leading up to the meeting of the Continental Congress. Taxation without representation was to be the main argument of the Americans. The Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767, and the Tea Act of 1773 created much animosity between the colonists and the Parliament. The leadership of the United Kingdom felt as if the colonists owed the taxes for the defense and war recovery of the previous conflicts on American soil. The Americans, though feeling loyal to the Crown, felt as if they should have representatives in the Parliament if they were to pay taxes. Thus the division was made, and armed conflict was to be imminent. .
There were events other than the taxation that added to the desolation of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the American Colonies. Some famous occurrences included the Boston Massacre, the burning of the Gaspee, the Boston Tea Party, and the Coercive Acts, known to the colonists as the "Intolerable Acts". This caused the colonists to become extremely alarmed, and would lead to the creation of the Continental Congress.
