Question

in the declaration of independence, who became the symbolic target for colonists who supported the revolution?

a.) the colonial elite

b.) parliament

c.) the british military

d.) king george iii

Explanation:

Analyze the focus of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, was designed to justify the American colonies' separation from Great Britain. To create a unified and powerful narrative, the document specifically targets a single individual rather than a complex political body.

Identify the symbolic target

While colonial grievances during the 1760s and early 1770s often focused on the actions of the British Parliament (such as taxation without representation), the Declaration of Independence shifts its focus entirely. It lists a series of grievances directed personally at King George III, repeatedly using the phrase "He has..." to characterize him as a tyrant unfit to rule free people. By focusing on the monarch, the document provided a clear, singular symbolic target for the revolutionary cause.

Answer:

• a.) The colonial elite
• b.) Parliament
• c.) The British military
• d.) King George III (Correct answer)