Founding Documents

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

• to explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain

• the start the American Revolution

• to offer a peace settlement to Great Britain.

• to instruct how a county wins its freedom.

How do natural rights, as described in the Declaration of Independence, differ from other rights?

• People are born with natural rights.

• People can vote to choose natural rights

• Natural rights are given only to citizens.

• Natural rights come from the government.

According to Thomas Jefferson, the power to rule comes from

• the governed.

• God

• Parliament.

• the king.

Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?

• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson
• John Adams
• Benjamin Franklin

What are the three inalienable rights that all people have?

• Food, Shelter, and Clothing
• Life, Liberty and Death
• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

When was the Declaration of Independence written?

• September 11, 1789
• July 4, 1776
• June 25, 1778

What is the main purpose of government?

• To protect the rights of the people
• To protect the life of people's things
• To give people things

"Governments are instituted among men" what did this mean?

• All WHITE men were created equal. The DOI didn't mention women or slaves.
• Rights are given to men by their government but are inherent and undeniable. Rights we are born with
• The purpose of government is to protect the rights of the people
• If the government does not protect the rights of the people, it is the right of the people to change the government

What was the minimum number of men required for a community to become a state?

• 40,000

• 50,000

• 60,000

• 70,000

The first stage to statehood was...

• they would decide who the leaders would be

• the could elect its own legislature

• write a state constitution

• Congress would approve the state constitution and area would become a state