The Declaration of Independence was used to:
- Declare the thirteen American colonies' legal separation from Great Britain and their formation of a new nation.
- Explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain.
- Create a new sense of national identity and purpose for the colonies.
- Serve as a model for future declarations of independence and democratic ideals around the world.
- Rally and unite the American colonies in their fight for independence from British rule.
- Provide a justification for the colonies' break from Britain and their establishment as a sovereign nation.
- Inspire and motivate the American people during the American Revolution.
- Set forth the founding principles and values of the United States of America, including the ideals of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness.