USA HISTORY

Which document came first, and told why the colonies were separating from Great Britain?

(A) Constitution

(B) ** Declaration of Independence

(C) Emancipation Proclamation

(D) Gettysburg Address

Concept note-1: -By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists’ motivations for seeking independence.

Concept note-2: -The Declaration of Independence is made up of five distinct parts: the introduction; the preamble; the body, which can be divided into two sections; and a conclusion. The introduction states that this document will “declare” the “causes” that have made it necessary for the American colonies to leave the British Empire.

Concept note-3: -Benjamin Franklin had drawn up a plan for “Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.” While some delegates, such as Thomas Jefferson, supported Franklin’s proposal, many others were strongly opposed.

Concept note-4: -On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Lee Resolution, voting for independence from Britain. On July 4, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was first drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited to the final version by the Congress.

Concept note-5: -The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain.