Notes

Part 1 of the doi is the preamble. In the preamble the writers are explaining very generally that because England had been unfair to the colonies it is only right for them to break away. They then state that because this is so odd and appears treasonous, that they will then go into detail to lay out why this is necessary to Great Britain, but more importantly other nations.
Part 2 Explains the rights that the colonists do have, influenced by locke. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. They also have the right to break away and form new nation if these rights are being violated, like they had been. Leads into part 3.
Part three is the grievances that the colonists have with Britain. These are laid out not to tell Britain what they already know they did, but to show the world how terrible their situation was. Some of the problems include taxation without rep, refusing trial by jury or having trial in england, keeping a standing army in times of peace, and manipulating both legislature and the judges.
Part 4 then explains that this is not a brash decision. They explain that they have tried to communicate with the king through the olive branch petition and even directly with the people, but no one would hear them. This is a last ditch effort because nothing else has worked. they have been driven to do this.
Part 5 specifically states that the colonies are going to break all ties with Britain and become a separate independent nation that can do everything other countries can such as declare war, have commerce. Part 6 is all 56 signatures, which is significant because these 56 people were signing of the leaders of a treasonous rebellion and basically signing their life away for independence.