what is the paragraph where the declaration of independence uses the word savage

Quick Scoop: The “Savage” Paragraph in the Declaration of Independence

The word “savage” appears in the 27th and final grievance against King George III in the Declaration of Independence. It’s embedded in a single, infamous sentence that reads:

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

This line is part of the long list of complaints meant to justify the colonies’ break from Britain—but it also reflects the dehumanizing rhetoric used toward Native Americans at the time.

Where It Appears in the Document

• Location: Near the end of the Declaration, in the list of 27 grievances.
• Context: The colonists accuse the British king of inciting both enslaved people (“domestic insurrections”) and Native American groups (“merciless Indian Savages”) to attack colonial settlements.
• Wording: The phrase “merciless Indian Savages” is the key part containing the word savage.

Why This Passage Matters Today

• Historical framing: The language was political propaganda meant to rally support by portraying Native peoples as existential threats.

• Contradiction: It starkly contrasts with the Declaration’s famous line that “all Men are created equal,” exposing the limits of who was included in that ideal.

• Modern reception: Many Native Americans and scholars highlight this passage as evidence of foundational racism in U.S. founding documents.

Full Text of the Relevant Sentence (for clarity)

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

TL;DR: The Declaration of Independence uses the word savage in its final grievance against King George III, referring to “merciless Indian Savages” in a single, widely criticized sentence.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.