Enlightenment Ideas in the Declaration of Independence

Enlightenment

A period of history from 1500-1700 where Europeans use reason to discover natural law.

The government gets consent, or permission of the people

According to social contract, where does the government get the power to rule?

pursuit of happiness

Each day the people make choices that add to their well-being.

John Locke

He believed that people have natural rights that all political power is derived from the people.

right of revolution

If the government fails to uphold its part of the social contract, it should be overthrown.

they all have the same unalienable rights

Jefferson said that all men are created equal in what way?

lead the people

Jefferson stated that because King George had violated the rights of the citizens he had broke the social contract and was no longer fit to do what?

overthrow the government

John Locke believed that the government had an obligation to the people it governed to protect their natural rights. If the government failed to do this, then the people had the right to do what?

trial by jury

One grievance against King George III listed in the Declaration of Independence was that he deprived the colonists of THIS right.

taxes

One grievance against King George III listed in the Declaration of Independence was that he imposed THIS on them without their consent.

quartered troops

One grievance against King George III listed in the Declaration of Independence was that he kept THIS among the colonists.

Life, the right to be alive

The FIRST unalienable right Jefferson lists in the Declaration of Independence is?

Liberty, the right to be free

The SECOND unalienable right Jefferson lists in the Declaration of Independence?

The pursuit of happiness

The THIRD unalienable right Jefferson lists in the Declaration of Independence?

government

The major contribution of Enlightenment philosophers was the introduction of new ideas about what?

Social Contract Theory

The state exists only to serve the will of the people and they are free to give or withhold power as they choose. The people surrender certain freedoms in exchange for society's protection.

Declaration of Independence

The writings of John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers are significant because they influenced what item?

Natural Rights

These are considered"unalienable rights". People cannot have their property taken away nor be ruled without the people's consent.

To protect the natural rights of citizens

What did Jefferson say the purpose of government was?

All men are created equal

What major Enlightenment ideas did Jefferson call self-evident truths?

explain reasons for independence

What was the purpose of writing the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence.