How did the Declaration of Independence impact American ideas about government? A. It convinced the rest of the world that the American colonies were right to break away from Great Britain.

B. It established the need for the separation of powers that the different branches of government would provide.

C. It made clear that the colonies had the power to go to war with any nation that threatened its existence.

D. It set out in plain terms the right of people to govern themselves and to establish their own laws.