Question

overview of the purpose and structure of the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 1

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

Answer 2

The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress, states the reasons the British colonies of North America sought independence in July of 1776.

The declaration opens with a preamble describing the document's necessity in explaining why the colonies have overthrown their ruler and chosen to take their place as a separate nation in the world.

http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/declaration/summary.html

Answer 3

The main purpose of America's Declaration of Independence was to explain to
foreign nations why the colonies had chosen to separate themselves from Great
Britain. The Revolutionary War had already begun, and several major battles had
already taken place. The American colonies had already cut most major ties to
England, and had established their own congress, currency, army, and post office. On
June 7, 1776, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Richard Henry Lee voiced a
resolution that the United States ought to be completely free of England's influence,
and that all political ties between the two countries should be dissolved. Congress
agreed and began plans to publish a formal declaration of independence and
appointed a committee of five members to draft the declaration.

Continued here;
http://mrnussbaum.com/history1/printables/declaration_of_independence.pdf

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