What are the main ideas in the decleration of independence?

Answer 1

This document was written by Thomas Jefferson and asserts that man has unalienable rights which government should protect, these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is a close paraphrase of Locke's principles of life, liberty and pursuit of property. The declaration also states that man has the right to rebel against his government if the government doesn't protect these rights. The declaration also states that man is generally accepting of the abuse of his rights and that a long strain of abuses is necessary to prompt the people to act on there behalf. The document also supports consent based government; that is the government must comply to the wishes of the people whom they rule. The second half of the declaration outlines the abuses the colonists have endured from King George III; these would later assist in the establishment of the Bill of Rights. The declaration ultimately served to separate the colonies from England and to lay the principles upon which the Constitution would be constructed.