U.S. Founding Documents (Spring 2025)

The U.S. Declaration of Independence lists grievances (complaints) against King George III's actions. Which of the grievances below demonstrates a violation of the Enlightenment principle of consent of the governed?

• He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people

• Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us [and] for cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world

• Depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury [and] for transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

• He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people

The U.S. Declaration of Independence lists grievances (complaints) against King George III's actions. Which of the grievances below demonstrates a violation of the Enlightenment principle of consent of the governed?

• For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments

• Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us [and] for cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world

• Depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury [and] for transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

• He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people

What does the Enlightenment principle (belief) of social contract, or consent of the governed, mean?

• The government gets its authority from the people that it governs.

• People have a right to life, liberty, and property.

• The powers of government should be divided into separate branches.

• People are selfish and cannot be trusted.

The Declaration of Independence was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of the social contract and natural rights. Which ONE of the following statements reflects the influence of natural rights?

• "That these United Colonies are...Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved..."

• "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

• "[A]ll men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with...Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."

The Declaration of Independence was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of the social contract and natural rights. Which TWO of the following statements shows the influence of social contract?

• "That these United Colonies are...Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved..."

• "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

• "[A]ll men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with...Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..."

The Declaration of Independence says:

"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, and for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures."

How does this grievance (complaint) support the American colonists' case for independence?

• It describes how the colonists were encouraged by the king to send their elected representatives to London.

• It describes how the British government was holding public meetings in locations favorable to colonies loyal to Britain.

• It describes how the British government made it hard for the American colonists to have a voice in their own governance.

• It describes how the colonist were not given adequate access to to public records necessary for day-to-day government activities.

The American colonist believed the British had taken actions that made it difficult for them to have representation in government. Which Enlightenment principle (belief) did those actions violate?

• The British did not adhere to (follow) the principle of separation of powers.

• The British abused the principle of religious toleration (freedom).

• The British violated the principle of social contract.

• The British ignored the principle of mercantilism.

The Declaration of Independence lists a number of grievances that colonists had with British rule. An excerpt from the Declaration of Independence is shown.

 

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

 

Which ideal of democratic government do the grievances in this excerpt demonstrate?

• The government has a responsibility to distribute wealth equally in the country.

• The government has a responsibility to protect, not violate, the rights of its citizens.

• The government must uphold the supremacy of national laws over state or local laws.

• The government must uphold the will of the majority, not the minority, when passing laws.

Which provision was found in the Northwest Ordinance and was also later included in the U.S. Constitution?

• the prohibition of slavery

• full voting rights for women

• the establishment of a national religion

• an income tax on all employed citizens

What precedent for governing in the United States was established by the Northwest Ordinance?

• the guarantee of a right to trial by jury

• the creation of a federal system of government

• the establishment of full voting rights for women

• the denial of property rights to American Indians