Study Guide: 7th Grade U.S. Government Final Exam

The Declaration of Independence was written in the year ________.

• 1776

• 1492

• 1865

• 1620

The main writer of the Declaration of Independence was ____________________________.

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• John Adams

The Declaration of Independence announced that the 13 colonies were _____________________________________.

• free and independent of Great Britain

• still under the rule of Great Britain

• required to pay taxes to England

• joining the French Empire

The purpose of the Preamble in the Declaration was to _____________________________________________.

• state the reasons for separation from Britain

• list the grievances against the King

• describe the structure of the new government

• explain the process of ratification

The Declaration says all people have the rights to _______, _______, and the ____________________________.

• life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• wealth, fame, and the right to vote

• property, education, and the pursuit of power

• freedom, equality, and the right to bear arms

The Declaration of Independence says that if the government does not protect people’s rights,

the people have the right to .....

• change or abolish the government

• ignore the situation

• ask for more taxes

• move to another country

The Declaration accused the British King of _________________________________________________.

• not protecting their rights

• granting independence

• supporting the colonies

• signing peace treaties

The Declaration officially declared __________________________________________ from Great Britain.

• independence

• war

• friendship

• trade

The Articles of Confederation was the first ____________________ of the U.S.

• constitution

• president

• amendment

• treaty

The colonies wanted a written set of ____________________ all states agreed on.

• rules

• taxes

• leaders

• borders