The Declaration of Independence Post (4th)

Which argument most logically follows from Jefferson’s expressed ideas in the Declaration of Independence?

• The rights of men should be supported over those of women.

• Monarchy is a bad form of government because rulers are not elected.

• All forms of government destroy human rights and should be abandoned.

• Any form of government that suppresses people’s freedoms should be overthrown.

From the Declaration of Independence, what can a reader infer about Jefferson’s general attitude toward revolution?

• Revolution is a method of last resort.

• All cases of injustice justify a revolution.

• People often revolt as their first course of action.

• Revolution is a very poor way of dealing with conflict.

According to the Declaration of Independence, which of the following statements are among the reasons the colonies determined to break away from British rule? Choose three options

• The majority of Americans were not ethnically or culturally British.

• Britain was guilty of many recent abuses of its power in the colonies.

• The American and British armies had already clashed on the battlefield.

• Britain interfered with the operation of the legislatures in the various colonies.

• The British army was too weak and undisciplined to effectively protect the colonies.

Which statement best describes the way Britain harmed the American economy, according to the Declaration of Independence?

• Britain stopped all commerce and trade within the American colonies.

• Britain prevented the colonies from creating a national American currency.

• Britain raised prices on many of the basic necessities Americans had to import.

• Britain imposed illegal taxes on the colonies and cut off America’s international trade.

In the Declaration of Independence, what does Jefferson mean when he says that the king has “refused his assent to laws … necessary for the public good”?

• The king knows what is best for the colonists.

• The king is too busy to listen to the colonists.

• The king enjoys his absolute rule over the colonists.

• The king has not allowed changes that would benefit the colonists.

Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

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….

Which of the following statements best explains what Jefferson means by “all men are created equal”?

• All people are equally provided with brains and talent.

• All people are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

• All people are equally qualified to hold high political office.

• All people are entitled to obey only the laws they agree with.

The Declaration of Independence states that independence has become “necessary” and that Americans “should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Which of the following statements best expresses the point Jefferson makes with this language

• Jefferson suggests that foreign allies have urged Congress to declare independence.

• Jefferson emphasizes that America has been forced into declaring its independence.

• Jefferson implies that Britain fully approves of Congress’s decision to declare independence.

• Jefferson explains that America never considered any action other than declaring independence.

In the Declaration of Independence, what is Jefferson’s purpose in listing self-evident truths?

• In the Declaration of Independence, what is Jefferson’s purpose in listing self-evident truths?

• He is demonstrating that he has a factual basis for his argument

• He is drawing readers’ attention to his personal and strongly held opinions

• He is creating a connection to the colonists’ attempts to reconcile with Britain.

Which of the following statements from the Declaration of Independence makes the strongest emotional appeal to readers?

• He has called together legislative bodies … for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

• He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly….

• He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection....

• He is at this time transporting large armies … to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A

In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson describes the king’s actions and policies as “absolute despotism,” “abuses and usurpations,” “repeated injuries and usurpations,” and so on. Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of such language?

• The language implies that powerful authorities disapprove of the king.

• The language provides logical evidence of the failings of the king

• The language demonstrates justice and fairness toward the king

• The language arouses readers’ emotions against the king.