Enlightenment Influence

Philosophically, the declaration discussed two crucial aspects from Locke's Enlightenment thinking: individual (life, liberty etc.) and the right of revolution.  In addition Locke's concept of the Social Contract had an impact on the drafting of the Declaration.  This concept asserted that people would have to give up some right to government in order to receive and preserve a social peace and order.  While maintaining individual rights, the writers in sense establish a social contract with the people of the states that is no longer tied to Britain.  The declaration established the states as legitimate authorities and the people consented.  

Also interesting is the profound influence both Enlightenment thought and the American revolution had upon the French and their revolution.  Like the Americans they believed that if the government is corrupt they had the right to overthrow it.  However initially, Enlightenment belief of the equality of all men led to many in France to critique the lavish lifestyle's of the monarchy and seek to improve their conditions under the monarchy.  For example, the Third Estate which consisted of anyone who wasn't of the nobility and clergy sought to obtain more authority and power in making political decisions in France.  This eventually led to a revolution and a complete break with the monarchy.  This just shows how influential Enlightenment thinkers were on politics during the second half of the 18th CE in both France and America.