Which document served to inform the world of the colonies' justification for independence and grievances against Britain?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that effectively conveyed the colonies' rationale for seeking independence from Britain, laying out both their justifications and grievances. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it articulated the philosophical reasons for breaking away, including ideas about individual rights and the social contract, which asserted that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.

Moreover, the Declaration enumerated specific complaints against King George III, detailing how his actions contravened the colonists' rights and liberties. By doing so, it not only justified the colonies' decision to seek independence but also aimed to rally support from other nations and encourage the colonists themselves to unite in their pursuit of freedom. This document is pivotal in American history, symbolizing the colonies' formal break from British rule and the establishment of a new nation based on Enlightenment principles.