Question

How does the Declaration of Independence express the Enlightenment idea of natural rights?

A. It claims that no government should be able to deny its people certain freedoms.
B. It suggests that a government's power comes from its people.
C. It argues that governments should treat people of all races equally.
D. It criticizes Great Britain for its harmful treatment of American Indians.

Answer 1

The Declaration of Independence reflects the Enlightenment principle of natural rights by asserting that all people are born with inherent rights and it is the government's duty to protect these rights. If it fails, the people have the right to establish a new government.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Declaration of Independence is a seminal document that articulates the Enlightenment idea of natural rights. This idea, propagated by philosophers like John Locke, suggests that all individuals possess inherent rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and it is the role of the government to protect these rights, deriving its power from the consent of the governed. The Declaration expresses these principles by asserting that everyone is born with unalienable rights and that a government's legitimacy comes from upholding these rights and the will of the people. When a government fails to do so, it is the right and duty of the people to alter or to abolish it and establish a new government that better secures their future security and wellbeing.