The new relationship announced between Great Britain and the United States in the Declaration of Independence is the formal severance of political ties and the establishment of the United States as a free and independent nation. The document declares that the American colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and that all political connections between them and Great Britain are completely dissolved. It asserts that as independent states, the United States has full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and perform all acts that independent nations may rightfully do

. In summary, the Declaration of Independence announces the birth of a new sovereign nation-the United States-breaking away from British rule and establishing a relationship based on independence rather than colonial subordination.