Declaration of Independence Review

According to the Declaration of Independence, the fundamental purpose of government is to…

• protect people’s natural rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

• equalize opportunities for all citizens

• provide for the defense of the nation

• establish a system of free public education

According to the Declaration of Independence, the people have the right to alter or abolish a government if that government…

• is a limited monarchy

• violates or does not protect their natural rights

• becomes involved in alliances

• favors one religion over another

Which statement summarizes the ideas from the passage?

• Since people create governments to protect their rights, they can change governments that abuse their rights.

• The only safe government is one with a system of checks and balances between its different branches.

• Without the government to restrain us, every society would become a struggle of every person against every other person.

• Although people create governments to protect their rights, once they give power to a government they cannot take it back

Which phrase completes the diagram?

• The colonial theory of government

• The colonial theory of government

• Grievances of the colonists against Britain

• False rumors spread by colonial newspapers

Based on this passage with which complaint against the king from the Declaration of Independence would Thomas Paine again?

• a. persecuting immigrant groups

• b. taking away religious rights

• c. taking away political rights

• d. persecuting racial groups

• a.) To protect the people’s natural rights

• b.) To provide separation of powers

• c.) To establish a federal system of government

• d.) To confirm checks and balances

"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."

-Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, 1776

Based on this excerpt what are natural rights? (Hint: Focus on the key word CREATOR)

• God-given rights that all people should have

• rights that exist in America but not in Europe

• rights granted by English kings to their subjects

• rights that can only be earned through bloodshed

"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."

-Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, 1776

What earlier thinker influenced this passage?

• John Locke

• King Georgre III

• George Washington

• Baron de Montesquieu