Background
Although fighting broke between British forces and colonial rebels in the spring of 1775 few rebels initially thought to seek independence from Britain. However, as the British government built up its military power in the colonies and increased its efforts to clamp down on their trade, reconciliation seeme less and less likely. In June 1776, debate over whether or not to declare independence began in earnest in the Second Continental Congress, which essentially served as government of the United States from 1775 until the 1789 establishment of a new government under the Constitution of the United States.
The Congress appointed five men to draft a statement for the colonists’ case for independence; however, Thomas Jefferson, one of the five men, wrote the original draft along, with input from John ADams and Benjamin Franklin. Presented to Congress on July 1, initially adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies (New York abstaining), extensively revised, and then finalized on July 4, the Declaration of Independence has since become a
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— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred