According to the american colonists, a government is only legitimate if it has select one: . a. direct or pure democracy. b. consent of the governed. c. declared independence. d. contracts with citizens

The answer is letter C. Consent of the Governed.

Based on the book American Government: Enduring Principles, Critical Choices, it states that a country can only be legitimate if the citizens of the certain state are willing to be governed by a governing body.