The overarching ideology espoused by the founding fathers of the United States included principles of liberty, democracy, and the importance of a government based on popular sovereignty. Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, they argued for a government that derived its power from the consent of the governed, thus valuing individual rights and freedoms. Documents such as the Declaration of Independence articulated these ideals, emphasizing the pursuit of happiness and the protection of life and property. The struggle for independence was driven by a desire to create a nation grounded in these fundamental democratic principles.