Which document declared independence from Britain and listed colonial grievances?

Which document declared independence from Britain and listed colonial grievances?

• A. Declaration of Independence
• B. Articles of Confederation
• C. Constitution
• D. Bill of Rights

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying a document that both announced independence from Britain and explained why the colonists believed they had the right to break away. The Declaration of Independence does exactly that. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted in 1776, it states that people have unalienable rights and that governments derive their authority from the governed. It then lists the Crown’s abuses and the colonies’ grievances—things like imposing taxes without consent, dissolving colonial laws, and quartering troops—to justify the decision to become free and independent states. The other documents served different purposes: the Articles of Confederation created the first governing framework after independence but did not declare it, the Constitution set up the structure of the U.S. government, and the Bill of Rights outlines protected rights but does not proclaim independence.

The main idea is identifying a document that both announced independence from Britain and explained why the colonists believed they had the right to break away. The Declaration of Independence does exactly that. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted in 1776, it states that people have unalienable rights and that governments derive their authority from the governed. It then lists the Crown’s abuses and the colonies’ grievances—things like imposing taxes without consent, dissolving colonial laws, and quartering troops—to justify the decision to become free and independent states. The other documents served different purposes: the Articles of Confederation created the first governing framework after independence but did not declare it, the Constitution set up the structure of the U.S. government, and the Bill of Rights outlines protected rights but does not proclaim independence.