Declaration of Independence

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

• Benjamin Franklin
• Samuel Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• Paul Revere

The Preamble is...

• in the beginning of the Declaration...
• the conclusion.
• in the middle.
• not in the Declaration.

According to the Declaration of Independence, what truth was "self-evident"?

• All men are created equal
• Rights are given by good kings
• Government exists to protect us from ourselves
• Only a democracy can protect our rights

The words self-evident means what?

• confusing
• obvious
• wrong
• self-aware

What are our natural rights according to Jefferson?  (He got the idea from John Locke, but he changed the last right.)

• Freedom of speech, religion, and press
• Life, liberty, and property
• Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Voting, rebelling, and health

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

• To stop taxes from the British Empire.
• To make a United States army.
• To gain independence from the British Empire
• To install their own king in America

To Great Britain, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was

• an act of loyalty.
• an act of treason.
• an act of bravery.
• an act of insanity.

Which statement best describes the role of government according to the Declaration of Independence?

• “The main purpose of government is to expand and glorify the state”
• “The main purpose of government is to protect the unalienable rights of individuals”
• “The main purpose of government is to protect the rights and privileges of His Majesty, the King”
• “The main purpose of government is to promote the general welfare of the community by taking steps toward social equality”

When Thomas Jefferson copied John Locke's ideas about the social contract, what did he say the people had the right to do to a government who was not protecting the people's rights?

• Write a letter
• Suggest how it could be better
• Wait until they started to respect the people's rights
• Abolish it

The Declaration of Independence states, “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.” Which Enlightened idea do these words describe?

• need to ensure a representative government.
• social contract between government and the people.
• revolutionary intent to overthrow the current government.
• return to a society that has no central authority.