Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence influenced American democracy by endorsing the Enlightenment principles of unalienable rights such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, asserting that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and acknowledging the right of the people to change a government that does not protect these rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Influence of the Declaration of Independence on American Democracy
The Declaration of Independence profoundly influenced the development of American democracy by asserting the principle that all people have certain unalienable Rights, including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. It established the foundational idea that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed. This principle promotes the notion that citizens have the authority to institute and alter their government to protect these rights, a cornerstone in the democratic tradition.
This document, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and ratified on July 4th, 1776, was influenced by Enlightenment thought, especially the works of John Locke. It set forth the radical idea that people are born with natural rights that are inherent and cannot be taken away by government. In asserting that governments are instituted among Men, the Declaration introduces a government that is not only responsible for securing the rights of the people but also accountable to them.
The Declaration's preamble specifically states that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new government, laying the groundwork for a responsive and representative political system where governmental power is not absolute, but subject to the will and welfare of the people.