Enlightenment and Founding Documents

Read the following excerpt from the Declaration of Independence and answer the question beneath it.
"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government."
Which Enlightenment principle most influenced these ideas?

• John Locke's idea of the social contract
• Thomas Hobbes's idea of natural equality
• Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers
• Voltaire's idea of the importance of toleration

Read the following excerpt from "On the Spirit of the Laws" by Baron de Montesquieu and answer the question below.
"When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch of senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
Which aspect of the U.S. Constitution shows the influence of Montesquieu?

• separating power among three branches of government
• balancing power between the people and the government
• dividing power between the state and national government
• dividing power between two legislative bodies of government

How did "Common Sense" impact the way colonists thought about government?

• They began to believe that it was not practical to be governed by England.
• They began to believe that they should boycott laws with which they did not agree.
• They began to believe that they should be governed by the King rather than by Parliament.
• They began to believe that it was important to develop their own English style of government.

Which foundational document was written by Pilgrims "for general good of the whole colony"? Further, this document demonstrated the principles of self-government and social contract.

• Mayflower Compact
• English Bill of Rights
• Articles of Confederation
• Virginia Declaration of Rights

Which statement most accurately reflects the colonists' reactions to British policies?

• Colonists could influence decisions made by Parliament through protests.
• Colonists remained loyal to Britain because they were unable to protect themselves.
• Colonists resisted British policies which gradually led to the movement for independence.
• Colonists were concerned they would be able to get supplies if they were independent of Britain.

Read the excerpt and answer the question below.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
According to this excerpt, what is the role of government in society?

• to ensure the happiness of its citizens
• to ensure the obedience of its citizens
• to protect the natural rights of its citizens
• to protect the religious beliefs of its citizens

In 1689, the English legislature wrote this document that established limited monarchy, gave more power to Parliament, guaranteed free speech and debate in Parliament, outlawed collecting taxes without the consent of the nobles, excessive bail, and cruel or unusual punishments.
Identify the document.

• Magna Carta
• English Bill of Rights
• Mayflower Compact
• Common Sense

Thomas Paine wrote this document in 1776 that challenged the authority of the British government and persuaded many colonists to side with the Patriots, who favored declaring independence from England. 
What was this document called?

• Magna Carta
• Mayflower Compact
• English Bill of Rights
• Common Sense

In 1620, passengers aboard an English ship wrote and signed a document to establish a government to govern their new colony. The principles of self-government and social contract are seen throughout.
What was this document called?

• Magna Carta
• Mayflower Compact
• English Bill of Rights
• Common Sense

Which statement from the Declaration of Independence best supports the concept of natural rights?

• "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men"
• "He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good"
• "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations"
• "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights"