The signers of the Declaration risked their lives in a sense that they rebelled against sovereign authority in which British held. They were all brave enough to take a step in creating a new ideal government and nation. As usual they faced punishment or backlash from the people standing on the outside. If there name was seen on that piece of paper they could be victimized and imprisoned.
The main way in which the sentiments of the Declaration of Independence were similar to those in the Articles of Confederation is that both documents wanted to make it impossible for a country or government to be tyrannical--this is why the Articles were so "weak"
