Declaration of Independence Primary Source Questions

July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence

Read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety here.


  1. What does the Declaration say is the purpose of a government?
  2. Based on how it is used, what do you think is the meaning of an unalienable right?
  3. Who do you think the authors intended their audience to be?
  4. Was the Declaration the first time the colonists relayed their grievances to the British King and Parliament? Explain your reasoning for thinking this way.
  5. What do you think is the general attitude of the document?