Which Enlightenment ideas were the colonists upholding when they declared their independence

The colonists were upholding Enlightenment ideas such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, natural rights, and the idea of government by consent of the people when they declared their independence.

Explanation

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 1700s that emphasized individual freedoms and the power of reason. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke argued that all people have natural rights that cannot be taken away by any government. These natural rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Locke also argued that governments should be based on the consent of the people.

The Declaration of Independence was the document in which the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain and outlined their grievances against the British government. The Declaration also affirmed the colonists’ commitment to these Enlightenment ideals, which would become the foundation of the American Republic.

By declaring their independence, the colonists were asserting their natural rights, challenging the traditional notion that people should be subject to absolute monarchs. They were also rejecting the idea of a divine right of kings, instead believing that governments should be based on the consent of the people.

The Declaration of Independence was a watershed moment in history that had profound implications for the future of democracy and self-governance. It was a key step in the development of the United States as a nation that values individual freedoms and the rule of law. The ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence continue to shape American society today.