In 1776, the thirteen colonies decided to separate from the British Empire. The Declaration begins by explaining why this document is being created. 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 Natures God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that should declare the causes which impel them to the separation[footnoteRef:1]. The Declaration goes on to explain why they no longer are a part of Britain. There is a list of grievances and abuses towards King George III which can support their reasonings. By stating these abuses, they are also telling the people what will not happen. The men who signed the Declaration are promising a life of freedom and independence. This document is starting a new life for the people living in the thirteen colonies. Before these p
romises could be made, there had to be reasons to find independence. When a Nation, led to greatness by the hand of Liberty, and possessed of all the glory that heroism, munificence, and humanity can bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her Friends and Children, and instead of giving support to Freedom turns advocate for Slavery and Oppression, there is a reason to suspect she has either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers[footnoteRef:2]. This paper argues that American leaders issued the Declaration of Independence because of trade, land expansion, no representation, and taxes. [1: Declaration of Independence – Milestone Documents, accessed October 27, 2019, londonessays.com [2: Barry Alan Shain, ed., The Declaration of Independence in Historical Context: American State Papers, Petitions, Proclamations, and Letters of the Delegates to the First National Congresses (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2014).]