Skip to main content
HISTODEX

American Declaration of Independence

1776

Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

A historical reconstruction of Philadelphiathe key actors and forces shaping American Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia, showing the setting of American Declaration of Independence
Reconstruction note: This educational reconstruction is not a primary-source image of the event.
Period
1776
Kind
Political event
Regions
North America
Keywords
American Declaration of Independence · Philadelphia · early-modern · background · turning point · impact

Follow the story · Four stages

  1. Background

    Political, social, and commercial changes around Philadelphia formed the setting: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

    • In and around Philadelphia, the setting took shape as Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.
    • Core event: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.
    • Connection to the next stage: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    Historical reconstruction of American Declaration of Independence's background: In and around Philadelphia, the setting took shape as Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

  2. Course

    Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles. The choices of the participating powers and responses of local communities shaped the course.

    • Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.
    • The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Conditions behind the action: In and around Philadelphia, the setting took shape as Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.
    Historical reconstruction of American Declaration of Independence's central action: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

  3. Outcome

    As a result, Beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

    • Beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.
    • Process producing the result: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Question carried forward: In the longer term, beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.
    Historical reconstruction of American Declaration of Independence's immediate aftermath: Beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

  4. Historical significance

    The significance of this event lies in the fact that beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

    • In the longer term, beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.
    • Immediate consequence: Beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.
    • Historical turning point: Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.
    Historical reconstruction of American Declaration of Independence's long-term consequences: In the longer term, beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

Related events

  1. 1775

    War begins at Lexington and Concord

    Historical reconstruction of “War begins at Lexington and Concord” in American Declaration of Independence

    War begins at Lexington and Concord — In and around Philadelphia, the setting took shape as Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

  2. 1776

    Congress adopts the Lee Resolution

    Historical reconstruction of “Congress adopts the Lee Resolution” in American Declaration of Independence

    Congress adopts the Lee Resolution — Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.

  3. 1776

    Declaration adopted on 4 July

    Current event

    Historical reconstruction of “Declaration adopted on 4 July” in American Declaration of Independence

    Declaration adopted on 4 July — Representatives of the thirteen colonies declared independence from the British Crown and presented natural rights and consent as political principles.

  4. 1781

    British army surrenders at Yorktown

    Historical reconstruction of “British army surrenders at Yorktown” in American Declaration of Independence

    British army surrenders at Yorktown — Beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

  5. 1783

    Treaty of Paris recognizes independence

    Historical reconstruction of “Treaty of Paris recognizes independence” in American Declaration of Independence

    Treaty of Paris recognizes independence — In the longer term, beyond justifying the war, it supplied political language for later republican and rights movements.

Sources