What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was primarily to announce independence from Great Britain. This document, adopted on July 4, 1776, articulated the American colonies' intent to sever political ties with the British crown. It laid out a rationale for seeking independence by listing grievances against King George III and asserting the colonies' right to self-governance. The Declaration sought to justify the decision for independence both to the international community and to the citizens of the colonies themselves, establishing a moral basis for the break and informing the world of America's intentions as a new and independent nation.

In contrast, while the Declaration provided a framework that would ultimately influence the formation of the Constitution, it did not establish the Constitution itself. Additionally, it was not a formal declaration of war, although it did effectively indicate that the colonies were prepared to take up arms in defense of their rights. The document also did not primarily aim to form alliances with other nations, although it eventually served to attract foreign support, particularly from France, during the Revolutionary War.