This excerpt is the most important part of the Declaration of Independence. This is the part that outlines, for the first time in American History, its philosophy of government. This excerpt guides the government and the people when they look to see what our government does, what makes a good government and what rights the people have.

Interpretation

The general Interpretation of the Declaration of Independence is that people are born with individual rights that cannot be taken away from them. These rights include: the right to live, the right to have freedom or liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. It is the job of the government is to protect these rights. If a government does not protect the rights, but in fact weakens them, the government should be changed or removed

Philosophy of Government

Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence, was influenced by the writings of the English philosopher John Locke. Locke argued that “just,” or fair, governments are based on the consent of the people. and protect people’s “natural rights” to life, liberty, and property. Locke also stated that a government should be changed or replaced if it became unfair. Jefferson included all of Locke's ideas in the Declaration of Independence but made one small change. Instead of property, Jefferson listed the “pursuit of happiness” as one of the people’s natural rights.