<em>The Declaration of Independence establishes the values of the United States of America. It says that "all men are created equal" and have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Further, it states the purpose of government is to protect these values.</em>
Elaboration/Explanation:
One big source for Jefferson was John Locke. Locke’s Second Treatise of Government built upon mutual respect for property rights. All free men own property and therefore deserve some rights. The more property, the more rights. Locke like Jefferson believed that kings only earned respect for their rights when they respected the rights and privileges of their subjects.
Jefferson, of course, took this further. He, Franklin, and some other founding fathers essentially ran in radical English circles. Therefore some rights were so important that they do not accrue according to property ownership. Hence, all men were created equal in some respects; even though major property holders were more equal. All men deserved the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Of course, Jefferson understood that large landholders exercised the rights of gentry to guide their poorer neighbors.
