Question

From the quote below, please explain how the Declaration of Independence ties to the ideas and philosophy of the enlightenment especially John Locke's theory of social contract.

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which we have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, The separate and equal station to which the law's of nature and of nature's God entitle them, A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

Answer 1

John Lock wanted everyone to have the "right to life, liberty, and prosperity" which is stated in the Declaration of Independence as the "right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." His ideas of the social contract, in which everyone is accountable to one another and the idea of government deriving power from the governed people came into effect in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He believed that the end of the government is for the good of mankind. Thus, separating and declaring the colonies their own entity an "equal station" was our first step towards our "own opinions" from Great Britain.