Creating the Declaration

Studying the actual text of the Declaration of Independence and related documents from the Colonial period is a good starting point for grasping the ideas the Declaration elaborates.

Here we present primary-source documents—the Declaration of Independence itself and local town declarations that preceded it—in ways to increase your understanding of the texts.

Some resources are in PDF format, which may be used by teachers in the classroom.

• The Quill Model of the Declaration

  • Using records of the processes that have created constitutions, treaties, or legislation, the Quill Project re-creates the contexts within which decisions were made, offering visualizations of the process of negotiation that led to the founding documents as we know them today. 

  • More information on the Quill Model of the Declaration. 

• Massachusetts Town Declarations of Independence (May–July 1776)

  • After the battles at Lexington and Concord, calls for independence increased. But ideas about self-rule meant that many of the congressional delegates would not declare independence until they received permission from their colonies to take such a step. Over time, many state and local governments began to act, holding votes on whether the community did or did not favor independence.

• Jefferson's Rough Draft of the Declaration (June 1776)
  • A rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Jefferson's hand. This draft was shared with Adams and Franklin before being presented to the Committee of Five/Drafting Committee. 
• First Two Paragraphs of the Declaration
  • This contains the portion we often pay the most attention to, where is announced: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” 

• List of Grievances in the Declaration

  • By presenting these complaints in a formal document, the colonists aimed to show that their decision to separate from Britain was justified. 

• Concluding Text of the Declaration

  • The final paragraph marks a shift in sovereignty (rule) from King George III to the American people and also highlights key principles of civic virtue, such as the willingness to “mutually pledge” their lives, fortunes, and honor.