Declaration of Independence Review

The Declaration of Independence was approved on:

• July 2, 1776

• April 19, 1775

• July 4, 1776

Answer explanation

Declaration of Independence, printed by John Dunlap, July 4, 1776, Records of the Continental and Confederation, Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789, Record Group 360; National Archives. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence is made up of ___________ parts.

• 13

• 4

• 30

Answer explanation

The four parts of the letter include The Preamble, The Declaration of National Rights, the list of Grievances, and the Resolution of Independence.

Which of the following is NOT part of the Declaration of Independence?

• a list of grievances against the King

• a set up of a national government

• a list of natural rights

Answer explanation

The government wasn't set up until the U.S Constitution was written.

This man wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence.

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

• Samuel Adams

Answer explanation

Written in June 1776, Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, included eighty-six changes made later by John Adams (1735–1826), Benjamin Franklin 1706–1790), and other members of the committee appointed to draft the document and Congress.

Whose ideas were used to model the Declaration of Independence after?

• John Locke

• Thomas Paine

• Thomas Jefferson

Answer explanation

Most scholars today believe that Jefferson derived the most famous ideas in the Declaration of Independence from the writings of English philosopher John Locke. Locke wrote his Second Treatise of Government in 1689 at the time of England's Glorious Revolution, which overthrew the rule of James II.

The Declaration of Independence is based on the idea that

• people possess natural rights.

• kings have a God-given right to rule over their subjects.

• Parliament, not the crown, can rule the colonies.

Answer explanation

What are the 3 inalienable natural rights mentioned in the Declaration?

Declaration of Independence (1776): 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

The purpose of the preamble of the Declaration of Independence is to    

    declare the causes which impel them to separation from England.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The introduction, called the preamble, to the Declaration of Independence is especially important because it builds connections between philosophical theory and practical politics, expresses the fundamental values of the new American government, and also appeals to other nations to accept the new nation.

According to the Declaration, what allows the government to stay in power?

• money

• unalienable rights

• consent of the people

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence laid down several important principles about free government predicated upon all humans being created with equality of natural rights. From that equality flowed the idea that all who made a political regime through a social contract equally gave their consent to that government.

In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson argued that a government loses the right to govern if it fails to

• protect people’s rights.

• guarantee everyone a fair income.

• outlaw slavery.

How many injustices are listed in the Declaration of Independence?

• 27

• 13

• 3