The Declaration of Independence, EXPLAINED [AP Government FOUNDATIONAL Documents]

Structure and Purpose00:00:18

The Declaration of Independence consists of a preamble, a list of grievances against King George III, and a resolution for independence. Its primary purpose was not just to inform the King, but to rally the American colonists and secure foreign allies.

Enlightenment Ideals and Natural Rights00:01:45

Jefferson incorporated John Locke's natural rights theory, stating that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inherent rights given by a creator, not a government. Therefore, governments exist solely to protect these rights.

Consent of the Governed and Social Contract00:02:35

Drawing from Rousseau, the document establishes that governments derive power from the consent of the governed. This social contract implies that people surrender some power to the government to ensure their rights are protected.

The Right to Revolution00:03:35

Jefferson argues that if a government fails to protect natural rights and becomes tyrannical, the people maintain the right to abolish or alter that government to establish a new one that ensures their safety and happiness.