The colonist soon began to voice their dislike of the actions England took against them, appealing for England to be fair in the manner in which the colonies were to be treated. The colonists soon began to rebel against the authority of England. In 1776, after the colonies could no longer address the atrocities committed by England, the colonies demanded to be separate and free from England's rule. For a request of Independence to be made it would have to be done properly, therefore, a document called the Declaration of Independence came into existence. The most important aspects of this document are the circumstances and influences surrounding its origin and those individuals that are r

As the situation worsened it became apparent that separation may be the only course of action. The British blocked the ports, trade industry would suffer, and with no trade or profit from trade, the prosperity of the colonies would end. In essence, the crown had simply imposed what is today economic sanctions against the colonies to force them to submit to the will of the British crown. The policy the First Continental Congress had on non-intercourse would have to be rescinded. Out of necessity more than the personal desire to be independent colonies were forced to discuss separation from England and the Crown.

In his early years Benjamin Franklin was apprenticed to his brother as a printer. As with most enlightened men of this time Franklin read at every opportunity. He read Locke along with other great men of that day, and quickly displayed disapproval for authority. He demonstrated his ability to publish articles displaying his beliefs or views while at the same time refraining from any hostilities. Franklin demonstrated that rather than argue with people he would simply move on, even if it meant leaving his employment. Franklin combined these traits to provide perhaps one of the greatest impacts on the revolution and the Declaration of Independence.

During this period of history in the world, all the major powers were developing colonies of their own. In order for the foreign governments to support the American colonies, the colonists would have to provide proof that justified foreign interference. With the proper justification, foreign governments would not upset the power structure in their own colonies. To request support from them and receive it would require the colonies to prove they did not belong to Britain and they should have the right to rule themselves separate from Britain. Therefore, "The primary purpose of the Declaration was to convince a candid world that the colonies had a moral and legal right to separate from Great Britain." The biggest obstacle that lay in Jefferson's path as he wrote the document was establishing the colonies as completely separate from Great Britain. Jefferson would have to portray the colonies so they would not be perceived as disloyal subjects revolting against the proper authorities; then no support would come from foreign governments. To this Jefferson would establish a case justifying the revolution of the colonies within the context of the document known as the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson as a trained attorney would meticulously build a case that would stand up in any court of higher law.

Jefferson completed the Declaration of Independence and submitted it for approval, and the committee submitted the document to Congress for approval. While tradition has held that the historical signing took place on 4 July, this is not the case. The actual signing took place on August 2, 1776, and those that were absent signed at a later date. The Declaration of Independence not only established the separation of the American colonies from England; it established the birth of a nation called the United States.

Jefferson, after fulfilling the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence regarding the right to revolution would now turn his pen to the injustices that the colonies believed justified the revolution. In the Declaration of Independence, a list of charges or abuses against the king in his policies against the colonies was inscribed. The list of charges came into being after a great debate in the Continental Congress. The debate and agreement of what was just and unjust needed to be solidified.

Jefferson and the colonies would require a precedent or a specific justification to request independence. Jefferson would return to the colonies' heritage; that of England to find that precedent. In looking at the late 17th century in England, we find, that a new type of compact or agreement between those to be governed, the king, an

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Approximate Word count = 4538
Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page double spaced)