The Declaration of Independence document of July 4, 1776, drafted by the United States Congress, is undeniably one of the most important primary historical sources in the United States. The document says that human beings are equal, and it is God's design that all people enjoy freedom. The document also states that God has granted every human being the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It goes on to state that governments are created by the people and that governments exercise power on behalf of the people. As such, people have the right to change or eliminate a government if they believe it is not respecting the aforementioned rights. Likewise, the document argues that when the government oppresses its people just as the British government oppressed the people of the 13 states, then the people have the right to overthrow that government. In light of the above, the document accuses the King of Great Britain of numerous injustices. In this regard, Congress accused the King of refusing to pass laws intended for the public interest. They also accused him of preventing governors from passing important legislation. Furthermore, the king is said to have refused to make laws for the settlement of large districts. He is also said to have blocked immigration laws, obstructed justice, blocked trade with other nations, imposed illegal taxes, suspended the legislature among other charges. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay As a result, Congress declared itself free from any association with the British Crown and, as such, declaring the United States to be an independent state. The document is important because it marks a key milestone in the long-standing struggle between the British North American colonies and the British government, as well as in the struggles between whites and black slaves. The slave trade was a thriving business in the late 18th century as millions of Africans were transported from Africa to North and South America. However, Africans resisted slavery from the beginning and some chose to commit suicide by jumping into the water during transportation. The declaration of independence was a great respite for them. Likewise, struggles between British settlers and colonizers date back to the 1600s. For example, the desire for freedom is visible in Robert Horne's 1666 letter, in which he expresses his desire to recruit English settlers to join him in the Carolina colony . Horne believed that freedom would be found in the new colony because the colonists would have the right to choose their own leaders. Later, around 1740, John Locke published two key documents that influenced how people in the colonies viewed government. Evangelists like George Whitefield also challenged people to take personal responsibility for their lives. Ideally, Whitefield and Locke gave people the power to think critically and question those in power. By 1760, the North American colonies and Great Britain were moving in divergent ways both politically and economically. This was evident as the colonies increasingly resisted the punitive laws established by the British colonizers. For example, the colonies resisted the Stamp Act of 1765, which sought to double taxes on merchants. That same year, Parliament had enacted the Anti-Stamp Act of 1765. Other attempts to impose taxes also met resistance from the colonies. Sarah Knight, a Boston merchant, the account of her travels also paints the picture of the deviation of the American economy characterized by.'