The Declaration of Independence

Main Idea: to Declare that the colonies are separating from Great Britain and that they want natural rights.

Concepts of “all men created equal”: inherited freedoms and liberties that all humans are granted when they are born

Meaning of “Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness”: unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect.

• A person shall not be deprived of their life

• A person should have the liberty to live as they please

• , A person shall be free to pursue their individual happiness

Understanding the concept of “consent of the governed: a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented, or agreed to, by the people over which that political power is exercised.