1. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

2. WHAT IS IT?  The Continental Congress gave Thomas Jefferson the responsibility to write the Declaration of Independence that would be sent to Britain  Adopted July 4, 1776 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Pe ale,_1800.jpg

3.  The Declaration of Independence stated the belief that Britain was abusing the people of the colonies  Declared the colonies were separate from British rule

4. WHY IS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IMPORTANT?  The Declaration of Independence formally expressed the colonies’ displeasure with the king of Britain and the desire to be independent  This was a big risk because war was inevitable and the colonies’ army would likely be less powerful than the British army

5.  If it were not for the Declaration of Independence, the United States of America as we know them today may still be British territory