The Declaration of Independence lists the following rights:
The right to life. All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The right to liberty. Government exists in order to protect these rights, not take them away. The people can change their government when it becomes destructive of these ends.
The right to the pursuit of happiness. People have the right to pursue happiness as they see fit, so long as it does not infringe on other people’s rights in doing so.
The right to freedom of speech. People have the right to speak freely without fear of punishment or persecution by their government or others in authority.
The right to freedom of religion. People have the right to believe whatever they want about God (or gods), although they cannot expect that others will share their beliefs or practices unless they can provide evidence for their claims. They also cannot force others into believing what they do or acting as if they do just because they say so.
The right to government by consent (the people’s right to institute a new form of government).
The right to trial by jury in criminal prosecutions; the right not to be deprived of life or liberty without due process of law; the right not to be subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures; the right not to be denied equal protection under the law (the 14th Amendment).
