What are unalienable rights, AND why did Thomas Jefferson mention them in the Declaration of Independence? Think about the question carefully. Then enter your answer to BOTH parts of the question below.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Unalienable rights, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, refer to fundamental rights that cannot be taken away or denied. These rights are inherent to all individuals and are often described as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration, emphasized these rights to assert the belief that certain truths are self-evident and universal.
In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson mentions unalienable rights to justify the American colonies’ separation from British rule. He argued that governments are instituted to secure these rights, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed. When a government fails to protect these rights or actively violates them, it loses its legitimacy and authority. This philosophical foundation was crucial in framing the American Revolution as not just a rebellion against tyranny but as a moral imperative to uphold human dignity and freedom.
The mention of unalienable rights served multiple purposes. First, it united the colonists under a common cause, rallying them around the idea that they were fighting for their natural rights, which transcended any specific laws or regulations imposed by the British monarchy. Second, it appealed to Enlightenment principles, particularly those of philosophers like John Locke, who influenced Jefferson’s thoughts. Locke argued that the preservation of life, liberty, and property were paramount, and Jefferson adapted these ideas to fit the American context.
Ultimately, by including unalienable rights in the Declaration, Jefferson provided a powerful rationale for independence, framing it as a quest for the fundamental rights that belong to every individual. This notion laid the groundwork for the future development of human rights and democracy, influencing not only the formation of the United States but also the broader global discourse on freedom and justice.