1. What Does the Declaration of Independence Say?
© North Carolina Community College System
Clip art from

2. The Declaration of Independence has four parts.

3. The first part says that people who separate from other people should tell why they must do so.

4. The second part gives important ideas in American government
The second part gives important ideas in American government. It says that

5. All men are created equal=

6. All men have rights that cannot be taken away by another person.

7. Among these rights are
liberty,
life,
and the pursuit of happiness.

8. Government gets its power from the consent of the governed.

9. Government should protect the safety and happiness of everyone.

10. If a government disregards the rights of the people for a long time and will not change, the people have a duty to form a new government.

11. The third part of the Declaration of Independence is the longest
The third part of the Declaration of Independence is the longest. It lists many bad things King George III has done to the American people.

12. The fourth part--the actual declaration--says the colonies have decided to be independent.

13. They are free to make war and peace.

14. They can form alliances with other countries.

15. They can trade with other countries.

16. They can do everything that an independent country can do.

17. Representatives from all thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence.