The Declaration of Independence

Why was it risky for the leaders to declare independence from Great Britain?

• The colonies would be poor after leaving Great Britain

• If they won they would have to find new leaders

• If they lost they would be punished by Great Britain

• The colonies would no longer have any natural resources

Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• John Adams

What was one goal of the Declaration of Independence

• To establish a new monarchy

• Convince parliament to stop the war

• Explain why the colonies needed to separate from Great Britain

• Convince George Washington to become president

Thomas Paine argued for independence because

• He thought Great Britain was too far away

• Great Britain was ignoring the colonies

• Colonies need to pay more taxes

• Colonies could not rule themselves

The idea included in the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence can be attributed to

• John Locke

• Montesquieu

• Voltaire

• Thomas Paine

The words "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence are based on John Locke's ideas about which principle of government?

• rule of law

• natural rights

• consent of the governed

• limited government

According to the Declaration of Independence, people have the right to create a new government when the government _________.

• supports the pursuit of happiness

• consents to be replaced

• interferes with the people's rights

• takes powers from other countries

What did the authors of the Declaration of Independence hope to achieve by publishing the document?

• create an alliance with Native Americans

• encourage other British colonies to rebel

• to gain support from the international community

• to make the king angry

Why do we celebrate the 4th of July?