Origins of American Political Ideas

In the first part of the Declaration, Jefferson wrote that all men have rights.  These included "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness".  What is the first part of the Declaration called?

• The Closing

• The Body

• The Phone Number

• The Preamble

Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

What is the importance of the 3rd Section, Grievances: Justification for Independence?

• States that people have rights that cannot be taken away and the purpose of a government

• General statement of why the colonies are just in declaring independence

• It's where members of Congress signed & pledged their loyalty to one another & formally declared independence

• States why it is being written, which was to break away from Britain. 

What is the importance of the first section, the Introduction.

• States that people have rights that cannot be taken away and the purpose of a government

• It's the longest section that states the grievances the colonists had.

• It's where members of Congress signed & pledged their loyalty to one another & declared independence

• States why it is being written, which was to break away from Britain. 

To whom were the signers writing this "break-up letter"?

• The world

• King George

• George Washington

• One Republic & Timabland

The phrase "No Taxation without Representation" was shouted by colonist who felt what?

• They needed a tax collector

• That they had no voice in Parliment

• That they wanted their tax check

• That Parliament had heard them

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain _______, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Which of the following best completes this excerpt?

• unalienable rights

• equalities of opportunity

• duties and responsibilities

• repeated injuries and abuses

Which document, signed in 1215, influenced American political ideas by limiting the power of the monarchy?

• A) The Magna Carta

• B) The English Bill of Rights

• C) The Mayflower Compact

• D) The Federalist Papers

What philosophical movement emphasized reason and individualism, influencing American political thought in the 18th century?

• A) The Renaissance

• B) The Enlightenment

• C) The Reformation

• D) The Industrial Revolution

Which English philosopher's ideas about natural rights and government by consent influenced the American Founding Fathers?

• A) Thomas Hobbes

• B) John Locke

• C) Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• D) Voltaire