The Declaration of Independence was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of the social contract and natural rights. Select the boxes to identify whether each excerpt from the Declaration of Independence reflects the influence of natural rights or the social contract.
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Question
Natural Rights

Social Contract

1
"That these United Colonies are...Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved..."

2
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

3
"[A]ll men are created equal , that they are endowed by their creator with...Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."