Week 31

A large portion of the Declaration of Independence is a ​

• list of grievances or complaints

• request for a new king

• request for supplies

• list of trade agreements

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government.

Read this passage from "The Declaration of Independence"

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.

What are unalienable rights?

• rights given to the people by a king

• rights granted by the government

• rights enjoyed by landowners

• rights that are inherent to all people

Answer explanation

Unalienable rights are rights that cannot be taken away or denied. They are fundamental rights that are inherent to all human beings, regardless of their race, gender, or other characteristics. Examples of unalienable rights include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the passage.

Why was it important to mention unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence?

• To ensure that the colonists had a voice in government.

• To justify the colonists revolt against the king.

• To ensure that the colonists had a fair trial.

• To ensure that the colonists had the right to bear arms.

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence was written to declare the colonies' independence from Great Britain and to explain why the colonies had the right to do so. By including the concept of unalienable rights, the Declaration of Independence was able to provide a philosophical justification for the colonies' actions. Unalienable rights are rights that are inherent to all people and cannot be taken away or denied. By asserting that all people have unalienable rights, the Declaration of Independence was able to argue that the colonies had the right to revolt against a government that was not protecting those rights. This concept of unalienable rights has become a cornerstone of American democracy and is still used today to justify the actions of citizens and governments.

Read the Preamble to the Constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Which of the following descriptions match the purposes of the Constitution stated in the Preamble? Select all that apply.

• keep peace in the country

• form a better government

• make all citizens wealthy

• meet everyone’s basic needs

Answer explanation

The Six Goals of the Preamble

To form a more perfect Union meant creating a better government than the British colonial rule. ...

Establish Justice. ...

Insure domestic Tranquility. ...

Provide for the common defense. ...

Promote the general Welfare. ...

Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

Why was the Bill of Rights created?

• The Bill of Rights was created to ensure that the government could take away rights from its citizens.

• The Bill of Rights was created to ensure that the basic rights of all citizens of the United States are protected.

• The Bill of Rights was created to ensure that all citizens did not have to be treated equally under the law.

• The Bill of Rights was created to ensure that the basic rights of all citizens of the United States are not protected.

Answer explanation

The Bill of Rights was created to protect the basic rights of citizens of the United States. It was added to the Constitution in 1791 as a way to ensure that the government could not take away certain rights from its citizens. The Bill of Rights includes the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, and the right to religious freedom, among other rights. It was created to ensure that the government could not take away these rights from its citizens, and to ensure that all citizens were treated equally under the law.

Why is the Bill of Rights still important today?

• It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens.

• It is a cornerstone of democracy.

• It serves as a reminder of the fundamental rights and freedoms that all citizens of the United States are entitled to.

• To provide a framework for the development of laws and regulations.

Answer explanation

The Bill of Rights is still important today because it serves as a reminder of the fundamental rights and freedoms that all citizens of the United States are entitled to. It is a cornerstone of our democracy and a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of individuals. The Bill of Rights protects citizens from government overreach and ensures that all citizens are treated equally under the law. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens.

7. A journalist publishes a story about political corruption. Which right protects the journalist?

• freedom of religion

• freedom of speech

• freedom to bear arms

• freedom to assembly

Answer explanation

The journalist is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This right allows journalists to publish stories about political corruption without fear of censorship or retribution.

Citizens want to peacefully protest a new law. What allows them to gather in public?

• the Bill of Rights

• Article II of the Constitution

• the Preamble

• the Magna Carta

Which right is NOT listed in the Bill of Rights?

• People may practice their religious beliefs freely.

• Citizens do not have to house soldiers.

• Healthcare is guaranteed to all citizens.

• Police cannot randomly search property

Answer explanation

The Bill of Rights guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States.

The freedom of speech gives citizens the right to say anything they want whenever they want.

• True

• False