Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence was mainly influenced by John Locke's social contract theory and Enlightenment ideals, rejecting monarchy and advocating anti-authoritarianism and distributed government power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence was profoundly influenced by Enlightenment thought, specifically the social contract theory as articulated by John Locke. Locke's concepts of inherent natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which were adapted by Jefferson as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, are a clear endorsement of anti-authoritarian ideals as opposed to absolute monarchy. Moreover, the influence of Montesquieu's separation of powers highlights the Founding Fathers' rejection of monolithic government in favor of a system where governmental power is distributed across multiple branches.