Question

understanding the declaration of independence
section two: declaration of natural rights
in the second section of the declaration, jefferson talks about the natural rights of man.
vocab check
self - evident: obvious
endowed: given
unalienable: cannot be given away
instituted: created
deriving: getting; comes from
consent: agreement
governed: people being ruled
what it means:
all men are created equal and have certain natural rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. to protect these rights, governments are created among men. these governments get their power from the \consent of the governed\ - which means the people agreed to be governed. therefore, if a government attacks the peoples natural rights, it is the
ight of the people\ to change or end that government. the people then have the right to create a new government that they feel would protect their rights better than the one that came before.
what is jefferson talking about?
what is the enlightenment theory jefferson is referencing, that government is created by an agreement between the ruler and the people who are being ruled?
when a government fails to protect its citizens natural rights, what is jefferson arguing those citizens have the right to do?

Explanation:

Jefferson is discussing natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) that all men are endowed with. Governments are instituted to secure these rights, deriving power from the consent of the governed. When a government fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it and create a new one. The Enlightenment - related theory here is social - contract theory, which posits that government is created by an agreement between rulers and the ruled.

Answer:

Jefferson is discussing natural rights, the social - contract theory of government creation, and the people's right to change a government that fails to protect their natural rights. When a government fails to protect its citizens' natural rights, Jefferson argues that those citizens have the right to alter or abolish it and institute a new government.