Mayflower Compact and Declaration of Independence

​Introduction: States that the document will declare the reasons why the American colonies needed to leave the British Empire 

Preamble: Lists principles that were already considered self-evident, including the statement that "all men are created equal" 

Grievances: Lists the unfair actions of the British king and Parliament 

Formal declaration of independence: Affirms that the 13 colonies are free and independent states 

Body: Divided into two sections, the first section provides evidence of the grievances, and the second section states that the colonists had appealed to the British in vain 

Conclusion: The final part of the Declaration