Which governing body drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence?

The correct answer is that the Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed by the Second Continental Congress. This governing body convened in May 1775, in the midst of escalating tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. As relationships deteriorated, the Congress eventually took on greater responsibilities, including the task of declaring independence.

The decision to draft the Declaration was largely spurred by the desire among many colonists for an official statement that outlined their grievances against British rule and expressed the colonies' intention to separate from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the document, which was adopted on July 4, 1776, reflecting the collective commitment of the Congress to the principles of liberty and self-governance.

In contrast, the First Continental Congress convened in 1774 to address colonial concerns but did not pursue independence at that time. The Assembly of Virginia, while influential, was a regional governing body and did not have the authority to declare independence on behalf of all the colonies. The Constitutional Convention, which took place later in 1787, was focused on creating a new framework for governance following the independence gained in 1776. Therefore, the Second Continental Congress is the appropriate body associated with the drafting and signing of the Declaration of