Long Term Impact

The Declaration of Independence greatly impacted the future of the 13 Colonies. Due to the efforts of the people who supported the Declaration of Independence, America is one of the most powerful nations in the modern world. Not only did the Declaration create a new country, but it also sparked many future movements and organizations that helped make America a better place. Many organizations in the United States took the Revolution as an example to reinforce protests for their individual beliefs. After the Revolution, the Abolitionist Movement began, and people started to protest slavery. Many influential people have also looked back at the Declaration for ideas.

"Lincoln, of course, re-founded the polity on the principle of equality invoked at the Declaration and so many of his political choices were motivated by it. Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights moment, is another figure who drew intensely on the language and ideals and principles of the Declaration of Independence." (Danielle Allen, Interactive Constitution)

The Declaration persuaded other countries to follow America’s lead and become independent. The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen reflects the principles and ideals found in the Declaration of Independence. Some 120 countries also decided to declare their independence in the two centuries following the writing of the Declaration. As recently as 2008, the Albanian population in Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.

"No American document has had a greater global impact than the Declaration of Independence... As the first successful declaration of independence in world history, its example helped to inspire countless movements for independence, self-determination, and revolution after 1776."
~ The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, 1789, Wikipedia

Declaration of Independence, 1776, aspen institute

The Declaration has had monumental impacts on the world. It has given freedom and opportunity to many people and has sparked many movements and organizations that have helped our country change for the better. Kept safe in a museum to this day, the Declaration of Independence has remained an iconic symbol, representing the right to freedom.

“Before God, I believe the hour has come. Independence now and Independence forever”
-John Adams