What does the Declaration of Independence primarily establish?

The Declaration of Independence primarily establishes the United States as an independent nation. Adopted on July 4, 1776, the document serves as a formal statement severing political ties with Great Britain. It articulates the colonists' grievances against King George III and emphasizes the philosophical foundation of self-governance and the inherent rights of individuals, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration's key purpose was to convey to the world that the American colonies were no longer subject to British rule and were creating a sovereign state.

While the other options address important themes related to governance and rights, they do not encapsulate the central aim of the Declaration. The rights of states, the system of checks and balances, and the issue of taxation without representation are significant in the context of American political principles, but they are not the primary focus of the Declaration itself, which is about declaring independence and establishing a new nation.