Declaration of independence

The Declaration of independence is one of the most important documents in american history. Not only does it Declare the colonies independent from England, it also enumerates the abuses of English power leading up to the break with England. The main purpose of the Declaration is clear, it was written to formally declare the colonies and England seperate countries. However, it has many other purposes, such as to validate the revolution internationally, and nationally. Of imediate importance to the continental congress was national validation. The revolutionary war had been going on for over a year by the time the Declaration was written, and undoubtedly soldiers were beggining to wonder what they were fighting for. Without the declaration the war was a waste of life and resources, but with the Declaration the soldiers had reason to fight, they now had a goal that would require fighting, independence. The declaration also went a long way to persuading fence sitters, of which there were many, by enumerating the kings offenses against the colonies. This compilation of offenses, as well as the open revolt now declared as a war of independence, would rally some to the patriots side. The declaration probably also caused some loyalists to more activly support the british, since it openly stated that the patriots intended to break with england. Whilst it did give the americans cause to fight, it also gave the english justification to fight. now instead of fighting their countrymen they were fighting a new country, that had openly declared itself to be the king's enemy.
while the validation of revolution, and its open declaration had great effects in the colonies and england, they also had tremendous international effects. Not only did it lead to revolutions elsewhere, it may have saved the aerican revolution. The validation of war made, and the declaration of independence turned the war from an internal english affair into an international issue. This would allow other nations like France and Spain to officially join on the side of the americans, an oppurtunity they did not want to miss after their defeat by the English in the seven years war.
In all the declaration had farely positive effects, and without it the U.S. would not exist, obviously.