1. Has our understanding of the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence changed over time? The Declaration of Independence begins with the words "We, the people..." However, we have no explicit explanation of who these people are. Although the phrase is meant to represent the citizens of the United States, there is no consensus as to what that means. Therefore, the concept has been continually expanding in order to include new groups (for example, African Americans and women or immigrants). This expansion has allowed more people to feel represented by the Constitution.
2. Although the Declaration clearly states that the governed have the right to abolish a destructive government, there is a caveat. What is that caveat, and why do you think it was included?
The caveat is the following: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes." I think it was included to remind the American citizens that the motives to abolish a form of government had to be real problems that affect the liberty and civil rights of the American people. Not just for a matter of some discontent or differences in arguments or points of view.