The preamble to the Declaration of Independence is reminiscent of…
the Enlightenment writings of John Locke.
Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
the Mayflower Compact.
the Puritan-inspired laws of the Massachusetts, Bay Colony.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: the Enlightenment writings of John Locke.
The preamble to the Declaration of Independence is heavily influenced by the philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment, particularly the works of John Locke. Locke’s theories on government, particularly the idea that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, were central to the Declaration. Locke argued that governments are created to protect these rights, and when a government fails to do so, the people have the right to overthrow it.
The preamble begins with a statement of natural rights and the need for a new government when the existing one does not protect those rights. The phrase “all men are created equal” reflects Locke’s belief in natural equality, and the idea that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed is directly drawn from Locke’s social contract theory.
While the other options provided have historical significance, they do not align as closely with the principles expressed in the Declaration’s preamble. Jonathan Edwards’ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God focuses on religious fear and the wrath of God, which is not related to the Enlightenment ideals of reason and individual rights. The Mayflower Compact and the Puritan laws were important in establishing colonial governance, but they were more rooted in religious principles and community agreements rather than the Enlightenment’s emphasis on individual rights and government accountability.
Thus, the preamble of the Declaration of Independence is most aligned with the ideas of John Locke, whose Enlightenment philosophy inspired the American founders in their quest for independence from Britain.