The Declaration of Independence on Executive Power *

“The History of the present King of Great Britain is a history of... absolute tyranny over these states…”

The Declaration lodges 27 accusations against the King, falling into these categories:

-- blocked the passage of laws

-- abused and abolished colonial legislatures

-- blocked legislative elections

-- controlled the judiciary

-- imposed ‘big government’

-- subjected the people to military occupation

-- cut off trade with the rest of the world

-- imposed taxes without the colonists’ consent

-- denied trial by jury

-- waged war by a variety of means on the colonies

-- has refused to answer petitions by the colonists

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