What did the Declaration of Independence accomplish?

The Declaration of Independence is primarily known for proclaiming that the United States is free from Great Britain. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, the document articulated the colonies’ grievances against British rule and declared their intention to form an independent nation. This declaration was crucial in garnering both domestic and international support for the American cause, asserting that the colonies were no longer subject to British authority, thus marking the official start of the United States as a sovereign entity.

While the other options touch on important aspects of U.S. history, they do not accurately reflect the core achievement of the Declaration of Independence. The establishment of a new government, for instance, occurred later with the Articles of Confederation and eventually the Constitution, which are separate documents that define the governmental framework. The issue of slavery and the rights of slaves were significant but were addressed in different contexts and documents, not within the Declaration. The Constitution itself came later, in 1787, and served to outline the government established post-independence. Hence, the Declaration's role in declaring freedom from Great Britain is its most celebrated and enduring accomplishment.