What did the Declaration of Independence accomplish?

The Declaration of Independence primarily accomplished the announcement of the American colonies' independence from Great Britain. Drafted in 1776, it served as a formal statement asserting that the colonies no longer regarded themselves as part of the British Empire. The document, authored mainly by Thomas Jefferson, articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence and outlined the philosophical underpinnings of their decision, notably the principles of individual rights and government by consent.

While the Constitution was established later, and federal government structures were created subsequently, the Declaration was a crucial step in the revolutionary process, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a sovereign nation. The Declaration also included ideas about the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of government, which influenced the framing of the Constitution but did not directly create the Constitution or the government itself. Thus, it distinctly and powerfully accomplished the task of declaring independence, setting the stage for the creation of a new nation.