Declaration of Independence

At the beginning of the American Revolution, British troops fought against

• a strong central government

• knights on horseback

• hired foreign soldiers

• colonial militias and Minutemen

An important task facing the Second Continental Congress was to

• organize the colonies for war

• shut down the Continental army

• find ways to make the king happy

• make treaties with American Indian tribes

The booklet Common Sense persuaded American colonists to

• want independence

• forget about politics

• ask for help from the king

• remain loyal to Great Britain

The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to

• put an end to slavery

• offer the king one last chance

• ask for money to solve problems

• explain why the colonies should be free

The main writer of the Declaration of Independence was

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

Colonists rang bells and lit bonfires for the Declaration of Independence because they were

• angry

• worried

• excited

• surprised

Which of these ideas was in the Declaration of Independence?

• Women and men are equal.

• All rights can be taken away.

• Great Britain has ruled the colonies unfairly.

• People should obey governments even when they are unfair.

Benjamin Franklin was a patriot because he

• obeyed the laws

• was willing to fight

• wanted independence

• was loyal to the king

Rich landowners, governors, and religious leaders were often

• Loyalists

• neutral

• Patriots

• red coats

Why did many colonists boycott tea and paper?

• to punish the storekeepers

• to protest taxes on those items

• to save money for the future

• to make their own goods at home