Essay On The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence written in 1776, was and still is an important document in American history. The declaration was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was a supporter of John Locke, clearly evident in his use of Locke’s idea of natural rights, after minimal modifications. Most founders were in agreement to Locke’s ideas. Such as his idea of unalienable rights, which are life, liberty and property. In the Declaration of Independence they are stated as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Locke also believed in a social contract theory, which is an agreement between the government and its people that the established government should protect the rights of the people, and if it does not do so the people have the right to abolish the government and create a new one. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government” (Declaration). The founder’s beliefs were heavily influenced by the enlightenment period but Locke’s beliefs and ideals are most evident in the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration clearly states what the founders believed a government should be and how it should work. As stated by the declaration a government should respect that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights…”. Meaning that all people are equal and they all have unalienable rights given to them by God. As well that governments should be “instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Meaning that government was instituted on the people and also that government got its power from the consent of the governed, which is the idea that the people agree to be governed; or give their consent to be governed. Also