The Declaration of Independence was completed and signed in July of 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. To this day it is still considered history's most influential document. The Declaration of Independence marked the official separation between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain. This document clearly outlines the history of abuses and exploitations the colonies endured under the rule of King George the lll. The Declaration of Independence is mainly written in fived distinctive parts; the introduction, the preamble, the declaration of natural rights, the list of grievances, and the resolution of independence. .
The introduction of the Declaration is based on philosophical and political ideas of the Enlightenment period of 18th century in Europe. This includes the ideas of many prominent writers such as Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and particularly John Locke. Jefferson's idea of the unalienable rights, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" derives from Locke's ideas. John Locke believed that humans by nature had the right to protection of life, health, possession and liberty. Moreover, he also strongly opposed the divine rights of kings or an absolute power. Once again we notice that Jefferson relies on these beliefs when he states, "To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". Jefferson is able to put Locke's philosophies into the realm of the real-world politics. .
The preamble has noticeable pathos (invoking sympathy or pity in the audience) in order to connect to its readers, it conveys the idea that the American government is for the people and supports the "general welfare". For example, the Constitution states that the government of the United States will "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity", this statement uses pathos in order to connect with the American people in order to evoke pride in their government and Constitution.