The text of the Declaration of Independence is presented on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis in this seminar.
Each subject heading is derived from the opening phrase of the corresponding paragraph. The order of the headings is the same as in the Declaration. Number prefixes with each heading provide a handy way to refer to each paragraph.
Under each heading you will find a paragraph from the Declaration. A line of * (asterisks) indicates the end of the paragraph from the Declaration.
Following the text from the Declaration, TCNbP Company has provided a few comments to help you get started. Key words and related phrases from the US Constitution are indexed to support the discussion of each paragraph. Comments about other documents are occasionally made. These comments, key words and related phrases can be reviewed and edited using the TCN program. THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Action of Second Continental Congress,
July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
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Note use of "United States of America".
Notice that "one People" in the Declaration refers essentially to the identically same group as the phrase "We the People" in the Constitution.
Notice the assertion to the effect that "People" (individuals) are entitled to a "separate and equal station" by "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God". This statement was published 110 years after Isaac Newton explained gravity. The references to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" indicate the authors' appreciation of the idea that laws higher than any divine right of kings operated in the world.
Notice the phrases "When in the Course of human Events, . . ." and "a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind . .". The opening sentence of the Declaration indicates its concern with worldly human matters. The other phrase indicates that the Declaration is addressed to mankind at large, not just to the king.
The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights both are concerned with practical worldly human concerns, as is the Declaration, namely the abuses of power committed by the king. However, the Magna Carta and the EBOR both are addressed to a king.
Whatever else is expressed in the opening sentence of the Declaration, it clearly implies (but does not explicitly state) the colonists' intent to separate from England and it lets the reader know that the document will "declare the causes which impel them" (the colonists) "to the Separation."
The intent to separate is implied in two phrases: "it becomes necessary. . . to dissolve the Political Bands" and "which impel them to the Separation." WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.
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The second paragraph of the Declaration contains 6 sentences. An entire book could be written about the first sentence alone. Suffice it here to note that:
"WE" in the first sentence is virtually identical to "We the People" in the Preamble of the Constitution.
Also that much of the first sentence supports, clarifies and amplifies the phrases in the first paragraph "separate and equal Station" and "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God".
The phrase "Governments are instituted AMONG MEN" supports, amplifies and clarifies "When in the course of HUMAN events" from the first paragraph.
"Consent of the Governed" translates into democratic election of officials in the Constitution.
"alter or abolish it" is translated into provisions for amendments to the Constitution.
The phrase "to effect their Safety and Happiness" (note happiness is mentioned twice in this sentence) is translated into "domestic tranquility" (safety) in the Constitution. Happiness appears most explicitly in the provisions of the 1st amendment with its protections of PEACEFUL association and religious, personal and political expression. The intent stated in the Preamble, to "promote the general Welfare," is related to both safety and happiness.
Compare the second sentence to Shakespeare's "Hamlet Soliloquy". Shakespeare 1564-1625.
The Constitution became the cornerstone of the "new Guards for their future Security" mentioned in the 3rd sentence.
The 4th sentence refers to the colonists' stated concern of being reduced under "absolute Despotism" (mentioned in the 3rd sentence) without explicitly referring to the King, and goes on to state their intent (as a Necessity) "to alter their FORMER systems of Government". The second part repeats the intent to separate mentioned in the 1st paragraph.
The 5th sentence contains the first explicit reference to the King. It clearly identifies him as the source of the troubles about which the colonists complained.
The 6th sentence repeats the intent of the phrase "declare the causes" from the first paragraph. It introduces a series of 28 paragraphs, each of which contains one or more complaints about the king's policies toward the colonies and the colonists. HE has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
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One objective stated in the Preamble of the Constitution is to "promote the general Welfare". This provision of the Constitution REQUIRES of government that laws "wholesome and necessary for the public Good" be enacted. If the executive is contrary to such laws, the Congress can override his official contrariness with a veto. If the Congress offers insufficient satisfactory legislation, the public, by elections provided for in the Constitution, can replace the officials with others who might do better.
The objective to "promote the general Welfare" can be seen as a "Principal in the Foundation" (loosely quoted from paragraph 2 of the Declaration) of the government.
Congressional vetoes and democratic elections are examples of "organizing the Powers of Government" (also, loosely quoted from the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration).
The concept of "Consent of the Governed" is reflected in these aspects of the Constitution. HE has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
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The governor of each State in the United States is required to observe the Constitution itself; however, none of them reports to the President.
"Consent of the Governed" as opposed to the king's consent is advocated thereby in the Constitution. HE has refused to pass other Laws for the Accommodation of large Districts of People, unless those People would relinquish the Right of Representation in the Legislature, a Right inestimable to them, and formidable to Tyrants only.
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Article IV, Section 3, paragraph 1 of the Constitution provides for the admission of new States in a manner that leaves the President little say in the matter.
Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution guarantees representation (a Republican form of Government) for every State in the Union.
Article I, Section 2, paragraph 3 sentence 3 specifies a minimum of one representative for each State. Keep in mind that Constitutional provisions must be observed by the President. He cannot ignore them as did the king of Great Britain.
"Consent of the Governed" comes to mind. HE has called together Legislative Bodies at Places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the Depository of their public Records, for the sole Purpose of fatiguing them into Compliance with his Measures.
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Despite this cited abuse of legislators by the king, in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, the President is given the power to convene either or both houses on unspecified "extraordinary occasions".
Congress is required to meet at least once a year by Article I, Section 4, paragraph 2. This is true whether the President convenes them or not. Compare paragraph 31 of the EBOR. HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly Firmness his Invasions on the Rights of the People.
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Despite the dissolution of Representative Houses by the king, Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution empowers the President to adjourn the Congress if the two houses cannot agree on adjournment. However, this is the only case in which the President can Constitutionally exercise such power. The guarantee of a Republican Form of Government stated in Article IV, Section 4 seems to preclude the Constitutionality of any such dissolution of the Congress by the President.
Without the allusion to "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness" in paragraph 2, this complaint would not be clear. HE has refused for a long Time, after such Dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the Dangers of Invasion from without, and Convulsions within.
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Dissolution of the Congress by the President is more or less precluded by the Constitution.
The timing of federal elections is established in the original Constitution in Article I, Section 2, paragraph 1.
This complaint in the Declaration reflects a direct observation of the (undesirable) effects of anarchy. The constancy of Government, depending on the provisions of a document as opposed to the capricious whims of an individual, contribute to the objective stated in the Preamble to "insure domestic Tranquility". HE has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
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The Constitution assigns regulation of migration to the "States now existing" to the States until the year 1808, although Congress was empowered to tax migration. These provisions initially placed regulation of migration outside the power of the central government, much less the President. After 1808, regulation of migration by Congress is Constitutional, but even then the President is limited to veto or enforcement of related legislation. HE has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
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The Constitution established the judicial branch of government in a way that, barring amendment, pre-empts any possibility of its dissolution by the President. HE has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.
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The Constitution renders tenure of judges dependent upon their behaviour as opposed to Presidential whim.
The Constitution guarantees that judges will be paid a salary that will not be diminished (decreased) while they hold office. HE has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.
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The present size and growth rate of government in the United States reveals that the Constitution does not unfailingly answer every complaint raised in the Declaration. HE has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.
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The Constitution assigns the power to "raise and support Armies" to the Congress, not the President. Even Congress is limited in the terms of its appropriations to that purpose. Amendment III in the Bill of Rights assigns decisions concerning housing of soldiers (keeping them among us) in times of peace to owners, not the Congress. HE has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
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This complaint in the Declaration clarifies the intent of Amendment II in the Bill of Rights. HE has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
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This paragraph introduces a list of 9 complaints related to hideous acts of "pretended legislation" foisted upon the colonists from without. The Constitution answers some of the complaints by pre-empting, short of amendment, legislation on certain subjects. It requires the President to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed". The Constitution sets out a list of objectives for the proposed government in the Preamble. It contains another phrase to the effect "This Constitution" (and the governmental bodies it describes, not the king or any other foreign power) " is . . .the Supreme Law of the Land . . ." This statement in the Constitution includes a phrase "and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof" (thereof referring to the Constitution itself).
The Revolutionary War was the initial expression of the American People's determination to make the Declaration stick.
The Constitution was proposed to remedy many of the ills that had led to that war. FOR quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:
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The issue of "Consent of the Governed" is present in this complaint.
The 3rd amendment in the Bill of Rights allows such legislation, though not in times of peace. FOR protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.
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The 5th amendment provides a separate system of military justice. FOR cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:
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Despite the legislative abuse cited here in the Declaration, the Constitution takes its chances with Congress, not the President, in matters related to trade. See Article I, Section 8, paragraph 3 and Section 9 paragraphs 5 and 6. FOR imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
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The issue of Consent is explicitly stated in this complaint. Despite the legislative abuse cited here in the Declaration, the Constitution takes its chances with Congress, not the President, in matters of taxation. FOR depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:
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The 6th amendment in the Bill of Rights guarantees jury trial in a way that, barring further amendment, eliminates any Constitutional grounds for legislative abuse in this area. FOR transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences:
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The 6th amendment further guarantees jury trial in the district in which the offense is committed. The Constitution lists 5 offenses: Murder, kidnaping, property violation, peace violation, treason. Offenses other than these are rendered "pretended" by the Constitution. FOR abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an arbitrary Government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an Example and fit Instrument for introducing the same absolute Rule into these Colonies:
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Beginning after the 1st semi colon, Article IV, Section 3, paragraph 1 of the Constitution eliminates any Constitutional grounds for a similar abuse of power by the US government. FOR taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
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Article VII of the Constitution establishes the Constitution in such a way as to pre-empt, barring amendment according to Article V, its repeal by the President. FOR suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all Cases whatsoever.
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Article VI, paragraph 2 of the Constitution declares it and laws passed in pursuance of it to be the supreme law of the land in the United States. The central (federal) government of the United States is precluded from suspending State legislatures by Article IV, Section 4. HE has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
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Beginning after the first comma, Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution eliminates any Constitutional grounds for similar abuse of individual States by the central government of the United States. HE has plundered our Seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our Towns, and destroyed the Lives of our People.
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Despite this abuse of executive military power by the king, the Constitution empowers the President to be Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy and State militia. See Article II, Section 2, paragraph 1. HE is, at this Time, transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the Works of Death, Desolation, and Tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous Ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized Nation.
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This complaint in the Declaration was answered not by any provision of the Constitution, but instead by a revolt. HE has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the Executioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
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Same as preceding paragraph. HE has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions.
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The objective stated in the Preamble to "insure domestic Tranquility" eliminates any Constitutional grounds for similar exercise (abuse) of power by the United States government, including the President. IN every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble Terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated Injury. A Prince, whose Character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the Ruler of a free People.
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The 1st amendment in the Bill of Rights eliminates any Constitutional grounds for denial of petition. However, the last sentence was answered in a war, not by the Constitution. NOR have we been wanting in Attentions to our British Brethren. We have warned them from Time to Time of Attempts by their Legislature to extend an unwarrantable Jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the Circumstances of our Emigration and Settlement here. We have appealed to their native Justice and Magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the Ties of our common Kindred to disavow these Usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our Connections and Correspondence. They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of Consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of Mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace, Friends.
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In its 6 sentences, this next to the last paragraph of the Declaration begins to close the statement made by the entire document.
The first sentence alludes to the colonists' efforts to bring about change from without the British government.
Paragraphs 15 through 24 contain examples of efforts toward the "unwarrantable Jurisdiction" alluded to in the 2nd sentence.
Whatever the 3rd sentence may have said to its contemporary readers, 200 years and more later it reveals that without a reliable clear view of their own history, the colonists could not have reached their decision to revolt.
"Connections" in the 4th sentence is synonymous with "Political Bands" in the 1st paragraph of the Declaration.
The 5th sentence laments the deaf ears upon which the colonist appeals fell even among their kindred English brethren.
In the 6th sentence, the phrase ". . . acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces . . ." requires some attention.
Acquiesce in this context is to grow quiet, to stop talking (or writing). Might as well, given the deaf ears mentioned in the 5th sentence. Not that these were the only deaf ears in British history. After a very short time, both the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights lost their effect, themselves falling on deaf ears so to speak.
In what Necessity? The answer to this question can be found in the 2nd paragraph in the phrase ". . . the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government." Every phrase of the Declaration up to this point contributes something to the meaning of the word Necessity in the 6th sentence.
"Necessity" is the antecedent for "which".
An obsolete meaning of denounce is portend, which means to give a prior indication of something, as an omen. All the ills described in the Declaration are a prior indicaton of sorts that demonstrate the Necessity for an impending separation, said separation to be declared in the next paragraph. This phrase says that the king's actions precede or cause the separation, not just the Declaration.
A second interpretation of denounce is: rather than announcing their separation (giving notice with words), the colonists denounce it, (giving notice without words, in silence, acquiescence). Talk is no longer necessary, action is. The acquiescence, the growing quiet, is necessary in the need for action.
If there were any questions concerning the chances for the success of the Declaration's written appeal, those questions are answered in the overall history of the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. Both of those documents addressed complaints of kingly usury to a king or to his replacement; however, neither had succeeded long in remedying the cited complaints. The Declaration is addressed to a wider audience than the king. However, much of that audience's position is already known according to this paragraph in the Declaration.
There is an oft cited phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Up to this point, the Declaration is restrained in its language. But not here. The "big stick", the threat of war, is unholstered at the close of this paragraph in the phrase "Enemies in War". But that same phrase contains an unmistakable affirmation of the authors' desire for peace and eventual reconciliation in the phrase "in Peace, Friends." stakable affirmation of the authors' desire for peace and eventual reconciliation in the phrase "in Peace, Friends." [a] WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled,
[b] appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions,
[c] do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
[d] solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;
[e] that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
[f] and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. 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 Honor.
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The last paragraph of the Declaration contains only 2 sentences. The 1st sentence contains 126 words and 22 punctuation marks. Therefore, it is broken up into 6 parts for presentation here.
Each part starts on a new line preceded by a lower case letter in brackets. This letter is used as a reference in the following material.
[a] This part identifies the authors as Representatives of the "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". (This is the 2nd explicit use of the term USA in the Declaration.) Contrast this with paragraph 15 of the Declaration.
[b] This part expresses a concern the authors may have had about the correctness (rectitude) of their intentions. Their intentions (to go to war if necessary) are not as yet explicitly stated.
[c] This part further contrasts "We . . . in Congress assembled" in [a] with the legislative body referenced in paragraph 15. Compare "Consent of the Governed" in paragraph 2.
Up to this point, the authors have identified themselves as "Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", proclaiming that their actions are "in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these COLONIES" (emphasis added).
Notice it is possible to excerpt from first sentence up to this point, "We ... the ... People ...".
[d] What is strongly implied in paragraph 1 and justified in all subsequent paragraphs is explicitly stated for the first time in this part.
The phrase "and of Right ought to be" in this statement refers to "the separate and equal Station" clause in the 1st paragraph and various phrases in the 1st sentence of the 2nd paragraph.
[e] Clarifies "FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES" in part [d]. Note one phrase declares separation from the crown and another phrase declares separation from all British Political connections. The crown is associated with every complaint in the Declaration beginning with "HE". So the authors wanted to be sure that no reader could miss their intent to separate from the crown. The British Parliament is associated with every complaint in the Declaration beginning with the word "FOR" (paragraphs 16 - 24). Paragraph 31 describes the complicity by silence with which the British population supported the actions of king and Parliament. Therefore, in addition to becoming separate from the crown, the authors wanted to be sure that no reader could miss the idea that they intended to become separate from Parliament and all other people of Britain. Two phrases were used to ensure that neither idea could be missed.
This end of allegiance and breaking of political bands is declared as fact and as a righteous fact in the phrase "is and ought to be". Note absence of phrase "of Right" before "ought to be". Compare similar phrase just before "FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES" in part [d].
"Separate and equal station" from the 1st paragraph is not compatible with subordination to the crown. The 1st paragraph alludes to the necessity "to dissolve the Political Bands". The 2nd phrase in part [e] explicitly states this dissolution. These parts of the last paragraph support opening statements of the Declaration.
Part [f] and the 2nd sentence are discussed under the next subject heading. For convenience, the entire last paragraph of the Declaration is repeated there. [a] WE, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS, Assembled,
[b] appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions,
[c] do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies,
[d] solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;
[e] that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great-Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
[f] and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. 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 Honor.
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[f] Following the second appearance of the phrase "FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES", the authors close the thought of this lengthy 1st sentence in the last paragraph of the Declaration. The powers to levy war and establish commerce that appear in this part of the Declaration were later explicitly written into the Constitution. Contracting alliances and concluding peace were implicitly included in the provisions for treaties.
Of course, the authors claim other nonspecific powers. Since the Declaration was never intended to be a Constitution, it was not necessary to be explicit beyond making it clear that the Colonies were prepared to go to war.
It is interesting to note that these nonspecific powers refer to "things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do". Things that states may of right do implies limits to state powers, that there are things that states may not "of right" do. Obviously, if the colonists had believed in unlimited state power, the Declaration would not have been written. This single phrase in the Declaration speaks volumes about the need for, and the original intent of, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
To the extent the authors refuted unlimited state powers, they also refuted the traditional belief in the divine right of kings. If the king did not derive power from divine origins, then could they claim divine origins for their Declaration? In the 1st paragraph of the Declaration, they allude to "the Laws of . . . Nature's God." In the 1st sentence of this paragraph, they appeal to "the Supreme Judge of the World" for the Rectitude of their intentions. In the 2nd sentence, they allude to "a firm Reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence".
If the king's claim to divine right of rule were true, then how could they also claim that right as a cause for the action they contemplated against the king? If the king's claim to divine right of rule were false, need they claim the same as a basis for the action they here contemplated against the king?
However you may answer the preceding questions, it is clear that the authors did not rely TOTALLY on any power. Certainly not the power of the British empire. And not even totally on themselves and each other. But that they realized the necessity for their own involvement in the securing of their own safety and happiness, of that, there can be no doubt. The phrases ". . . for the support of this Declaration . . . WE . . MUTUALLY pledge to EACH OTHER" (emphasis added) in the last sentence of the Declaration say that very clearly. SUMMARY
The way the Declaration strikes an American Citizen today might be quite different from the way that it struck any reader in the late 18th century.
After several readings, the expression of the Colonists' intent to separate in the opening statements can be readily seen. However, at first glance, to any reader at the time familiar with current events and already concerned with the possibility of war, up to and including the king of England, the opening statements have a hypothetical ring to them.
By not opening with an explicit Declaration of war, the document probably persuaded a lot of readers to support it by the time the colonists explicitly stated their willingness to wage war.
High British officials could read it as yet another petition of grievances to be dealt with (ignored) by yet another round of bureaucratic nonsense or exercise of military force. That is up to the point that the power to levy war is claimed toward the end of the last paragraph.
Exactly what the colonists are talking about does not start to become clear until the 5th sentence of the 2nd paragraph. In it, the king is explicitly identified as the origin of the troubles about which the colonists complained.
Prior to this point, the colonists give a rather generic exposition concerning the legitimate aims of government, namely, to effect the safety and happiness of its citizens. In the next 28 paragraphs, the colonists show that the king did nothing to effect their safety and happiness. In fact, HE (presumably in pursuit of his own aggrandizement, increase of wealth and power) was the source of their major troubles.
Of the 28 paragraphs citing complaints, 9 paragraphs refer to activities conducted under the auspices of pretended legislation. Each of these 9 complaints begins with the word FOR in all uppercase in paragraphs 16 - 24. The other complaints begin with the word HE and presumably refer to activities the king undertook at his own discretion without even bothering to hide behind a facade of pretended legislation.
After stating their view of the legitimate aims of government and then showing the king's dismal failure to serve these ends, the colonists explicitly declare their separateness from Great-Britain as an established fact, thus clarifying and clinching the vague "necessary dissolution of political bonds" and "separation toward which they were (possibly at sometime in the future) impelled" loosely as stated in the first paragraph.
The Declaration was followed by the Revolutionary War. Having successfully thrown off its former government for the reasons stated in the Declaration, the Colonists wrote into the Constitution a definition of government "laid on a foundation of principles with its powers organized in a manner that seemed to them most likely to effect their safety and happiness" to loosely quote from the 1st sentence in the second paragraph. The Constitution specifically addresses many of the ills described in the Declaration as has been clearly shown in this seminar.
