FINAL EXAM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

FINAL EXAM - Essay Example According to the declaration of independence, all people are equal and created free. As such, they have the same natural rights. Thus, legitimate governments should be formed by the approval of the people who are being governed. Consequently, these legitimate governments should therefore secure and guard these rights. The declaration of independence brought to the fore a unanimous decision made by thirteen colonies to dis engage themselves from Britain. However, the most significant element of the declaration of independence since its inception was its declaration that political legitimacy was determined by people. As such, it appealed and advocated for equal rights for all people. Therefore, the meaning of the declaration of independence transcends both circumstances and time. The declaration of independence possesses three vital parts; the preamble, a list of accusations/charges brought against Britain’s king George II and the conclusion. Although the document justifies a re volutionary war, its bases its arguments on universal reason which are in line with laws of nature and of nature’s God. Additionally, the arguments respect opinions of people. The document is guided by its basic principles which include: self-evident truths; the document bases the American government on some self-evident truths like human equality and other unalienable rights. Self-evident truths transcend time, nations and circumstances. Secondly, rights of the people are acknowledged to produce legal governments. Thus, race, heredity, religion or wealth cannot justify government legitimacy. Equality is another third principle of the document. American government is basically about liberty and rights. However, these rights originate from all men being equal. Fourth, the purpose of happiness implies that a legitimate government should guard the unalienable rights such as liberty and life. Human happiness implies that the person or people live their lives to