It is still used today as the fundamental basis of our government; that government is intended to protect the rights of its people. However, at the time it was written, it was used more as a document to mobilize people for independence, even people 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 (political) Empire. By issuing this document, the colonists managed to persuade not only other insecure colonists, but also any foreign aid, that the king was violating his obligations.