Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that people are born with "inalienable rights," which refers to the Enlightenment idea of natural rights—rights that the government cannot take away. Jefferson defined these rights as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," similar to Locke's idea that people have a right to life, liberty, and property. Though people give up some of their freedoms to be ruled by a government, the government must protect these rights...
Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that people are born with "inalienable rights," which refers to the Enlightenment idea of natural rights—rights that the government cannot take away. Jefferson defined these rights as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," similar to Locke's idea that people have a right to life, liberty, and property. Though people give up some of their freedoms to be ruled by a government, the government must protect these rights in return. Jefferson also wrote the following:
"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."
In other words, when a government does not protect the inalienable rights that are due to its constituents, the people have the right to change or get rid of it and to start a new government that will bring about their safety and happiness. Though Jefferson thought that people should not abolish or change their government without serious consideration, he felt that a despotic government with a long history of abuses, namely, the government of Great Britain ruling over the colonies, should be overthrown.
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