It is still used today as the fundamental basis of our government; that the government is supposed to protect the rights of its people. However, at the time of its writing, it was used more as a document intended to rally people for independence, even outside of the colonies. This was because the colonists knew they would need allies and, at the time, no foreign country wished to interfere with the British Empire (politics). By issuing this document, the colonists were able to persuade not only other uncertain colonists, but also potential foreign aid, that the king was violating his right.