Declaration of Independence Outline

I. IntroductionA. Introduces the necessity for explaining why they must declare independenceB. Explains that the laws of nature and God entitle each human being the right to declare independenceII. PreambleA. He lists five truths according to Natural Law1. All men are created equal2. They are endowed by their creator with certain and inalienable rights3. These rights include: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessB. He establishes that most people will lput up with a long line of abuses rather than rebelC. He states that even though most people suffer under tyranny, it is their right and their duty to rebelD. He establishes that the colonies have tried to be patient and have made an honest attempt to work things out with Britain, but the world can no longer deny the truthIII. GrievancesA. He makes a long list of abuses the King has done1. He refused to assent the most necessary laws for the public good2. He refused to pass laws for the accomodation of people3. He called together legislative bodies at unusual places4. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly5. He exposed all the dangers of invasion6. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states7. He has suffered the administration of justice8. He has made our judges dependent on his will9. He has erected a multitude of new offices10. He has kept armies and ships of war among us in times of peace11. He has taken away our most valuable laws12. He has abdicated government here13. He has burnt towns, and destroyed the lives of our people14. He is transporting over large armies15.He has waged cruel war against human nature itself16. He has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers17. He has incited treasonable insurrections of our fellow citizensIV. ConclusionA. He states that we have warned and reminded Britain of the circumstance of their settlement here.

B. He states why we have the right and we must declare our independence from BritainC. He says that we declare our