1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
8_murik_8 [283]
3 years ago
15

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain un

alienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. " How does this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence connect to the idea upon which the U.S. government was founded? ONLY ANSWER IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AND YOU KNOW THE ANSWER FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
History
2 answers:
Lady bird [3.3K]3 years ago
6 0

This past weekend marked the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  And while much has changed since the signers met in secret to dissolve the bands that tied them to England, their words are as true today as they have ever been. 


The preamble to the Declaration states:


<span>
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, 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 …</span>

The arrangement of this statement reveals the founders’ belief that individual rights pre-exist the establishment of a government-- a radical notion at the time.  The Declaration begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”  By referring to the aspects of the subsequent statement as "self-evident truths," the founders insist that they do not merely apply to colonists but rather that they are universal.  Included in these universal truths is the idea, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  This bold assertion insists that no one life is more valuable than the next, and that—by virtue of sharing the same rights—no individual has the authority to rule over or oppress another.


Moreover, the equal rights shared by all humans are “unalienable.”  They cannot be taken away.  This is because they are granted not by any man or institution but rather they are “endowed” upon individuals by their Creator.  Only the One who grants rights has the authority to take them away.


Although the founders believed in the unalienable rights of every person, they also understood that there will always be forces in this world that seek to oppress.  Thus, “to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.”  Put simply, the government possesses no rights.  Its sole purpose is to protect the rights of its citizenry from outside forces.  If it fails in this duty, it is the responsibility of individuals to abolish it.


The writers of the Declaration—and subsequently the writers of the Constitution—believed that government’s power comes out of its ability to protect the rights of its people.  Individuals do not receive natural rights from government and thus government does not have the authority to take rights away.  To the extent that it protects individual rights, government operates legitimately.  However, when it fails to protect such rights or when it imposes upon them, it becomes an illegitimate ruler over what would otherwise be free people.


When the founding fathers gathered in 1776, they did not merely declare the independence of the colonies from their British oppressors.  They declared the independence of all individuals from the unlawful intrusion of overreaching government.  And that declaration forever altered the course of human history.

Natali [406]3 years ago
3 0
It was said by George Washington 

You might be interested in
Why is the Tang dynasty viewed as the great age of poetry in China? What was
Butoxors [25]

Answer:

invention of painting during the Tang dynasty made literature more available. At least 48,000 poems were written by some 2,200 authors.

Explanation:

4 0
3 years ago
Answer this question What caused WWI?
Setler [38]

World War I, also known as the Great War, began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
8 0
3 years ago
ASAP MULTIPLE CHOICE WILL MARK BRAINLIEST
Lemur [1.5K]

Answer:

Peter the Great, Russia

Charles V, HRE & Spain

Louis XIV, France

Explanation:

7 0
2 years ago
Why are there more representatives than senators in Oklahoma? The state allows more people to run for representative. The senate
Kobotan [32]
You already anwered the question in your question.
6 0
3 years ago
Joseph II was considered the most radical of the enlightened despots because he
lions [1.4K]
Enlightened despots were kings and queens who tried to incorporate the ideas of the Enlightenment into their rule, while keeping their traditional powers.  Enlightened despots such as Frederick II of Prussia and Maria Theresa of Austria tried to improve areas such as farming, industry, and education.  They were also patrons of the arts and began many humanitarian reforms, like abolishing the use of torture.  Maria Theresa's son, Joseph II, was considered the most radical of the enlightened despots because of the extreme changes he made when he came to power in 1780.  (Image:  Courtesy of Wikipedia) Joseph II abolished serfdom, made taxes equal for both nobles and peasants, and granted freedom of the press to writers.  He also confiscated Catholic Church property and used the money to build hospitals.  His actions ultimately failed because he angered too many people.  Nobles rebelled against him and he was forced to cancel many of these changes.

6 0
3 years ago
Other questions:
  • Which was NOT a key feature of feudal Japan a. Centralized government was modeled on Chinese bureaucracy. b. Elaborate protocol
    8·1 answer
  • What was the European country that had a colony in Brazil
    8·2 answers
  • What made many people in rhode island colony rich
    10·1 answer
  • Q: What term describes a white southerner who supported northern Reconstruction policies after the Civil War?
    12·1 answer
  • Why did Jefferson decide to repeal the Judiciary Act of 1801 once in office?
    11·1 answer
  • Which organization purchased slaves to be sent abroad to live in<br> freedom?
    13·2 answers
  • Assess the significance of the obstacles that have impeded efforts to secure lasting peace the between Israeli and the Palestini
    15·1 answer
  • How did Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea react to European Exploration and trade?
    8·1 answer
  • I need some important facts that author carmen agra deedy did​
    7·2 answers
  • To what extent were the civil rights of African Americans in the South protected after the Civil War
    5·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!