Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights, such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Though originally not inclusive of all people, this principle now represents equality before the law for everyone. The government's legitimacy is based on the consent of the governed, and the people have the right to change a government that fails to protect these rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “all men are created equal” from the Declaration of Independence is a foundational concept in the United States' history. It is not meant to imply that all individuals have the same abilities or circumstances but asserts that everyone holds the same intrinsic value and rights under the law. This principle establishes that all individuals have certain unalienable Rights, which include Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, and that governments are created to secure these rights.
Over time, the interpretation of “all men” has evolved. While initially, it did not universally include all people, or even all men, as slaves, women, and native Americans were excluded, the understanding of the phrase has grown to include individuals of every gender, race, and creed as equal before the law. This inclusive interpretation now reflects the contemporary views of equality and rights for all people in society.
The Declaration of Independence emphasized the need for governments to be based on the consent of the governed and suggested that when a government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and establish a new system of governance that better guarantees their safety and happiness.