Which document asserted that people have the right to rebel against an improper government?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that asserts the right of the people to rebel against an improper government. Crafted in 1776, this foundational text of American democracy explicitly states that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed and that when a government becomes destructive of these ends—specifically the protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—it is not only the right but also the duty of the people to alter or abolish it. This powerful assertion reflects Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of philosophers like John Locke, about the social contract and the rights of individuals.

In contrast, the Magna Carta was primarily focused on limiting the power of the monarchy and protecting certain rights of the nobility, not explicitly stating a right to rebel. The Constitution, while establishing the framework for the U.S. government, does not contain provisions for rebellion against the government. The Articles of Confederation laid out the structure of the national government but also didn’t provide for the concept of rebellion. Therefore, the Declaration of Independence stands out as the clear source for the right of the people to challenge and resist an unjust government.