The Declaration's Philosophy: Social Contract and Self-Determination
Analyze how the Declaration of Independence applied Enlightenment social contract theory to justify American self-determination and revolution in Grade 7 history.
Key Concepts
The Declaration of Independence announced a powerful new philosophy of government, built on Enlightenment ideas. It states that all people are born with natural rights, such as “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” These rights are not granted by rulers; they belong to every person automatically.
This idea is part of a social contract , an agreement where people consent to be governed in exchange for the protection of their rights. If a government breaks this contract and becomes unjust, the people have the right to change or even replace it. This justified the American Revolution .
Common Questions
What philosophical ideas are in the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence draws on Enlightenment philosophy, stating that all people are born with natural rights to 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.' These rights are not granted by rulers but belong to every person automatically. This reflects John Locke's influence on American revolutionary thinking.
What is the social contract and how does it relate to the Declaration?
The social contract is a philosophical agreement where people consent to be governed in exchange for the protection of their rights. The Declaration applies this concept by arguing that if a government breaks this contract by becoming unjust, the people have the right to change or replace it. This directly justified the American Revolution.
How does the Declaration embody self-determination?
The Declaration's assertion that people have the right to replace an unjust government is the foundation of self-determination—the principle that a people can choose their own form of governance. By declaring independence, the colonists exercised this right against British rule. This document became a model for other independence movements worldwide.