What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to announce independence from Great Britain. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, this document served as a formal declaration that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under British rule. It articulated the colonies' intention to separate and establish their own nation, asserting their right to independence based on philosophical principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed.

The Declaration also included a list of grievances against King George III, highlighting the colonists' frustrations with British governance, but this element was part of a larger goal of justifying the decision to declare independence. Furthermore, while the Declaration set the stage for establishing foundational principles that would later influence the Constitution, it did not itself establish the Constitution or define government powers. Its main focus was to declare the colonies’ sovereignty and explain the reasons for that demand, making the announcement of independence its primary purpose.