3. The Declaration of Independence was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of the social
contract and natural rights. Identify whether each excerpt from the Declaration of Independence
reflects the influence of natural rights or the social contract.
1. “That these United Colonies are...Free and Independent States; that they are
Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political
A. Natural Rights connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be
totally dissolved..."
B. Social Contract
2. "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people
to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."
3. "[A]ll men are created equals, that they are endowed by their Creator
with... Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.Il
1
2