The Declaration of Independence was the American colonists' formal declaration that they no longer wanted to be part of Great Britain. Instead, they wanted to be able to decide on their own laws and support only themselves, not another country half a world away. This volume explores what is in the Declaration of Independence and the effects the document had on what is now the United States. Through accessible text, augmented with fact boxes, critical-thinking questions, and engaging sidebars, readers learn why the Declaration of Independence remains such an important document to this day.