Why was the Declaration of Independence so important to the colonists?

I think the Declaration of Independence was very important to the colonies because they depended upon it for their freedom, and liberty. The colonists very much wanted this freedom, for they had just gotten out of the war, and were looking for a new life away from Britain. Then just as they got across the ocean the British started taxing and limiting the colonists a lot more than expected. King George also issued a decree commanding the colonists stay on the east side of the Appalations. He said this for fear that the Native Americans would do things to the colonists, and the land.