Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson declared life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and forming a moral basis for the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unalienable Rights in the Declaration of Independence
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson declared life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be unalienable rights. These rights are viewed as inherent to all individuals, and cannot be surrendered or taken away. Jefferson was influenced by the Enlightenment philosophy of John Locke, who identified life, liberty, and property as fundamental natural rights. The concept of unalienable rights was a cornerstone in establishing the moral foundation for the American Revolution and has since influenced numerous international human rights documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
The recognition of these unalienable rights underscored the colonists' assertion that they were entitled to the same freedoms and liberties as other citizens under British rule, which King George III had infringed upon. While the Declaration of Independence articulated these foundational principles, it did not abolish slavery or address all contradictions within American society of that time, such as Jefferson himself being a slave owner. The ideals laid out in the Declaration have nevertheless served as an aspirational benchmark for social progress and human rights advocacy throughout United States history.