American Revolution Regents Review

The main purpose for writing the Declaration of Independence was to

• declare war on Great Britain

• force France to support the Revolutionary War

• convince Great Britain to abolish slavery

• state the colonists’ reasons for separating from Great Britain

The Declaration of Independence (1776) has had a major influence on peoples throughout the world because it

• guarantees universal suffrage

• establishes a basic set of laws for every nation

• provides justification for revolting against unjust governments

• describes the importance of a strong central government

In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that the American colonies should

• approve the Treaty of Paris (1763)

• ratify the Constitution of the United States

• end their political relationship with Great Britain

• support the policies of King George III

The colonists’ slogan, “No taxation without representation,” expresses a belief in

• free trade

• economic interdependence

• the supremacy of Parliament

• the consent of the governed

. . . I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew [show], a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for, buy them where we will. . . . — Thomas Paine, 1776 4

In this statement, Thomas Paine suggested that the American colonies should

• negotiate an end to the conflict with England

• form an alliance with England

• declare independence from England

• boycott goods from England

Which document included John Locke’s idea that people have the right to overthrow an oppressive government?

• Mayflower Compact

• Northwest Ordinance

• Declaration of Independence

• Bill of Rights

Thomas Paine’s publication Common Sense was most influential in persuading American colonists to support

• additional British taxes on the colonies

• colonial independence

• the Whiskey Rebellion

• continued ties with Great Britain

John Locke’s theory of natural rights, as reflected in the Declaration of Independence, states that

• government is the source of all individual rights

• power should be concentrated in the monarchy

• power to govern belongs to the people

• individual liberties are best protected by a strong government

One of the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence is that government should

• guarantee economic equality among citizens

• have unlimited power to rule the people

• be based upon the consent of the governed

• be led by educated citizens

Based on these two images, which claim is most accurate

• Colonial settlements did not vary much; all settlers lived in villages that grew into large cities

• Large plantations growing tobacco and cotton were common in both New England and the southern colonies

• Ship building anchored the economy in northern and southern colonies

• Colonial economies varied by region, depending on the geographic conditions