Final answer:
The idea of natural rights significantly influenced the Declaration of Independence, with Thomas Jefferson drawing from John Locke's philosophy. Asserting that rights such as 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness' are inalienable, the Declaration formed a government ethos built on the protection of these fundamental human rights and played a central role in subsequent legal and social revolutions within the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of natural rights was pivotal in shaping the Declaration of Independence. When Thomas Jefferson penned the document in the summer of 1776, he drew heavily upon the thought of John Locke, an English philosopher who argued that certain rights—such as life, liberty, and property—are inherent and inalienable. Jefferson modified Locke's ideas into what became 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness', encapsulating the belief that these rights were self-evident and unalienable. The Declaration's assertion that 'all men are created equal' and that government is established to protect these rights was revolutionary, embodying the principles of the social contract and implying that it was not just a right, but a duty to overthrow a government that failed to secure them.
The Declaration of Independence provided a blueprint for democracy, emphasizing that any legitimate government must be based on the consent of the governed and that its main purpose is to safeguard these natural rights. This view undeniably springs from Locke's philosophies, which maintain that natural rights are beyond the control of any government. In practice, this philosophy served as the foundation for the revolution against British rule and had a profound influence on future legislation and movements seeking to expand civil liberties and rights within the United States.