Final answer:
The main idea of the passage from the Declaration of Independence is the formal announcement of the American colonies' separation from British rule, emphasizing their right to exist as independent states and the need to explain their reasons for seeking independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main idea of the quoted passage from the Declaration of Independence is A. Announcing an end of England’s governing of the colonies. The passage signifies the moment when the thirteen colonies decided to sever their political ties with Great Britain, declaring their right and intention to exist as independent states with equal standing among the powers of the earth. This right was seen as inherent, grounded in the laws of nature and sanctioned by what they referred to as “Nature's God.” Moreover, the document places emphasis on the necessity to articulate the reasons for this separation, rooted in a respect for the global community and a moral obligation to explain actions that deviate from the norm of existing political relationships.
Thomas Jefferson, the principal author, based the Declaration on Enlightenment ideals, asserting that government derives its powers from the consent of the governed. When a government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it. The document expressly states this while listing grievances against the British Crown, justifying the colonies' pursuit of independence and sovereignty.