Was the declaration of independence intended to be a formal declaration of war? why or why not? a. yes. though fighting preceded the writing, it was intended to be a formal declaration of war. b. no. the war started a year before the declaration of independence was written. c. yes. the declaration of independence formally united the militias of the individual colonies. d. no. there was no need to declare war, as this power had yet to be established.

A. Yes. Though fighting preceded the writing, it was intended to be a formal declaration of war.

The beginning battle of the Revolutionary War is Lexington and Concord which took place in 1775. Fighting continued but was viewed as a rebellion both both the colonists and the British until the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 

By declaring the wish to be an independent country, the Continental Congress was declaring war against the British. They suggested the British were an invading country on a now sovereign nation. For the new country to exist and be recognized they needed to fight the war, win the war, and have Britain recognize them as free in a treaty.