Question

the declaration of independence july 4th 1776
when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of natures god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
we hold these truths to be self - evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. - that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
annotate
to “dissolve” means to “break down”. what does “when it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another” mean?
why does jefferson feel impelled (urged) to declare, or state, the reasons the colonists want to separate?
what are the three unalienable rights jefferson believes all men are born with?
why are governments instituted among men?
if a government destroys the people’s rights, what does jefferson say the people have the right to do?
big idea jefferson holds four truths to be self - evident. underline each individual truth and list them below:

Explanation:

1. "When it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands" means when the existing political - ties with Britain are no longer tenable and the colonists need to break free and establish their own independent status among other nations.
2. Jefferson felt impelled to declare the reasons for separation because the colonists' rights were being violated by the British government.
3. The three unalienable rights are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
4. Governments are instituted among men to secure these unalienable rights, deriving their power from the consent of the governed.
5. If a government destroys the people's rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it and institute a new government.
6. The four self - evident truths: All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; when any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.

Answer:

1. It means to break the existing political ties with Britain and establish independent status among nations.
2. Because the colonists' rights were violated by the British government.
3. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
4. To secure the unalienable rights of the people, deriving power from the consent of the governed.
5. The people have the right to alter or abolish it and institute a new government.
6. All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; Governments are instituted among Men to secure these rights, deriving power from the consent of the governed; when a government is destructive of these ends, the people have the right to alter or abolish it and institute new government.