Final answer:
Deism's influence on the Declaration of Independence is evident in its Enlightenment principles, such as the belief in a creator who granted inalienable rights, which became essential in justifying the American colonies' right to independence and the formation of a government based on social contract theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deism is a significant aspect of Enlightenment thinking that influenced the Declaration of Independence. It represents the belief in a supreme creator who does not intervene in the affairs of the universe. This idea supports the claim that certain rights are inalienable and not granted by monarchs or governments. When crafting the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson was especially influenced by John Locke's ideas on natural rights. This foundational document outlines the core principles of unalienable rights, equality, and the social contract theory, declaring that the people have the right to alter or abolish oppressive governments. Philosophically, it underlines the democratic notion that governance should stem from the consent of the governed, reflective of social contract theory. The inclusion of a non-interventionist creator coincides with the Deist belief that human beings have natural rights which are self-evident and universal, laying the groundwork for the unique American experiment in democracy.