The Declaration of Independence

This year we observe the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document that marks the beginning of the United States of America. This exhibition, The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment, shows how colonial Americans reached this juncture. 

Until the first few months of 1776, most colonial leaders sought a peaceful solution that would give the thirteen colonies a measure of autonomy but leave them under the rule of King George III. But 1775 and early 1776 saw serious fighting at Lexington and Concord and at Bunker Hill, the towns of Falmouth and Norfolk were burned, and British forces had occupied Boston and were poised to invade Long Island and New York. In declaring independence, the revolutionaries were trying to do something that had never been done before: step away from a mighty empire. They did not know if they would win a war of independence. If they won, they did not know what would come next. And if they lost, military and political leaders were likely to be hanged for treason. 

Centering the motives and the moment allows us to focus on specific questions and explore them through the print and manuscript culture of the time. How did a people proud to be in the British empire come to believe independence was possible or even desirable? What ideas and historical events did they draw on to justify resistance to Great Britain? What kinds of communication networks would be crucial for circulating the Declaration and countless other revolutionary documents throughout the colonies?

The exhibition addresses these questions through books, letters, newspapers, and other documents drawn from the collections of the Lilly Library. These material objects run the gamut. Some are beautiful; some are very modest looking. You will see graceful handwriting and messy scrawls and read frank personal comments and political propaganda. Encountering these materials can help us find intriguing and specific connections to historical events that are part of the general knowledge of most Americans.

Acknowledgments

The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment was curated by Erika Dowell. Jenny Mack designed the exhibition with graphic design by David Orr. Historians Konstantin Dierks and David Nord read exhibition texts and suggested numerous changes that made the exhibition better. Joel Silver and Devan Schnecker also read and commented on the texts. This exhibition is part of America 250 at IU, a months-long civic festival offering our state expansive programming, exhibits, and events to honor our country’s past while looking toward our shared future through common experiences for our campus and community.