[justshutupandtakeit]

The declaration was a statement to the world that the Colonies were independent. They already had formed a Union in the body of the Continental Congress. War was already underway when the Declaration was published. American armies already existed and were in the field. The nation was already born before that nice piece of paper was given the world.

It was a mere explanation as to what had happening and was aborning.

[traditionalist]

Oh, and Jacobin sympathizers don't count.