Causes and Winning the American Revolution Quiz

Which document served as the ideological explanation for American independence?

• The Magna Carta

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Bill of Rights

• The Federalist Papers

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

• Thomas Jefferson

• Roger Sherman

What was the main purpose of the Committee of Five?

• To negotiate with Britain for peace

• To draft a statement representing the Continental Congress’s decision for independence

• To organize colonial militias

• To collect taxes for the war effort

Which pamphlet helped embolden the American Patriots, according to the text?

• The Federalist Papers

• Common Sense by Thomas Paine

• Poor Richard’s Almanack

• The Rights of Man

Who were the members of the Committee of Five?

• Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman

• George Washington, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, James Madison

• Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, Thomas Paine, Richard Henry Lee

• Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine, George Washington

What was a major reason some Southern Colonies delegates refused to sign the Declaration as originally written?

• It was too supportive of British rule

• It was critical of slavery

• It did not mention taxes

• It was written in French

Which philosopher’s ideas, especially the “Social Contract Theory,” significantly influenced the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Montesquieu

According to the Social Contract Theory, what right do people have if the government abuses its power?

• The right to pay more taxes

• The right to replace or overthrow the government

• The right to move to another country

• The right to ignore all laws

How did the colonists justify their independence from King George III’s government?

• By claiming the king was too generous

• By stating the king had violated the social contract and abused his power

• By arguing for more representation in Parliament

• By requesting more trade opportunities

Which of the following is NOT one of the three key sections of the Declaration of Independence?

• A list of grievances

• A discussion of previous attempts to get relief from Britain

• A summary of the Bill of Rights

• A preamble stating ideological reasons for independence