Why was the Declaration of Independence important? Select all that apply.

Question

Responses

It set up the U.S. government.
It set up the U.S. government. - no response given

It explained the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality.
It explained the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality. - no response given

It announced that the American colonies were separate from Great Britain.
It announced that the American colonies were separate from Great Britain. - no response given

It gave Americans the right to vote for leaders.
It gave Americans the right to vote for leaders. - no response given

Answer 1

The Declaration of Independence is important for the following reasons:

1. It explained the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality. - The document articulated the principles of individual rights and government by consent, which are foundational to American democracy.

2. It announced that the American colonies were separate from Great Britain. - The Declaration formally declared the colonies’ intention to separate from British rule, marking the beginning of the United States as an independent nation.

The other options provided (setting up the U.S. government and giving Americans the right to vote for leaders) are not directly associated with the Declaration of Independence. Instead, those aspects were addressed in later documents, such as the U.S. Constitution.