200
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,…
— Thomas Jefferson
The purpose of this statement was to
provide justification for declaring independence