Building a Nation Declaring Independence

Which argument most logically follows from Jefferson's expressed ideas in the Declaration of Independence?

• The rights of men should be supported over those of women.

• Monarchy is a bad form of government because rulers ar enot elected.

• All forms of government destroy human rights and should be abandoned.

• Any form of government that suppresses people's freedoms should be overthrown.

From the Declaration of Independence, what can a reader infer about Jefferson's general attitude toward revolution?

• Revolution is a method of last resort.

• All cases of injustice justify a revolution.

• People often revolt as their first course of action.

• Revolution is a very poor way of dealing with conflict.

According to the Declaration of Independence, which of the following statements are among the reasons the colonies determined to break away from British rule? Choose three options.

• The majority of Americans were not ethnically or culturally British.

• Britain was guilty of many recent abuses of its power in the colonies.

• The American and British armies had already clashed on the battlefield.

• Britain interfered with the operation of the legislatures in the various colonies.

• The British was too weak and undisciplined to effectively protect the colonies.

Which statements best describes the way Britain harmed the American economy, according to the Declaration of Independence?

• Britain stopped all commerce and trade within the American colonies.

• Britain prevented the colonies from creating a national American currency.

• Britain raised prices on many of the basic necessities Americans had to import.

• Britain imposed illegal taxes on the colonies and cut off America's international trade.

In the Declaration of Independence, what does Jefferson mean when he say that the king has "refused his assent to laws... necessary for the public:?

• The king knows what is best for the colonists.

• The king is too busy to listen to the colonists.

• The king enjoys his absolute rule over the colonists.

• The king has not allowed changes that would benefit the colonists.

Which person is the best example of someone who demonstrates tyranny?

• a rebel

• a dictator

• a member

• a challenger

If you acquiesce to a plan, what is most likely true?

• You go along with it despite your reluctance.

• You see drawbacks to it and want to modify it.

• You want more time to consider other options.

• You disagree with it and will not participate.

If you claim that someone's actions lacked rectitude, how do you think the person most likely behaved?

• rudely

• carelessly

• dishonestly

• self-importantly

According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the main purpose of a nation's government?

• to keep people satisfied with their leaders

• to help the nation grow in wealth and power

• to see that people's basic rights are protected

• to maintain order and stability by staying in power

Which quotation from the Declaration of Independence best supports the main purpose of a nation's government.

• We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all mean 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...

• ...[To] secure these rights , governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...

• ...[G}overnments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath show, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

• ...[A]s free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.