These unalienable rights come only from man's Creator, not from governments, and cannot be taken away from him by government. This principle works on the assumption that our humanity qualifies us to govern ourselves. Surely, a being thus endowed must be potentially capable of governing himself without impairing the unalienable rights of others. This principle does not imply that men have the God-given right to do whatever they want whenever they want. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.
Governments exist to ensure certain unalienable rights.
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. This is an idea John Locke espoused in his social contract theory. This principle is not a blanket approval for revolution, but a reminder that government is formed for the benefit of man, not the reverse. The idea of fighting a war with a superpower nation must have been a frightening prospect for the fledgling colonies. Yet because of the principles they professed, the colonists forged ahead.