SOL 6b: Declaration of
Independence
Essential Question:
What ideas and/or philosophies about government
were expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
**Key Philosophies in the Declaration
of Independence were based upon
the ideas expressed by European
philosophers.
Key Philosophies (ideas) of the
Declaration of Independence:

People have “certain unalienable rights”
(rights that can’t be taken away from
you) – to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness

People establish governments to protect
those rights.
Key Philosophies (ideas) of the
Declaration of Independence:

Government derives power (gets its
power) from the people.

People have a right and a duty to change
a government that violates their rights.