Declaration Text Analysis

The phrase "self-evident" suggests that the truths presented:

• Must be proven by scientific evidence.

• Are immediately obvious and require no proof.

• Are only clear to those with a college education.

• Were agreed upon by a majority vote.

The purpose of stating that rights are "endowed by their Creator" is to:

(choose 2)

• Establish a specific religion for the new nation.

• Appeal to a higher power than the king.

• Suggest that a king granted the rights.

• Assert that the rights are natural, universal, and precede government.

• Argue that only religious people possess these rights.

The word "unalienable" means that these rights:

• Are temporary and subject to change.

• Are subject to being sold or given away.

• Cannot be taken away or surrendered.

• Are alien or foreign to the government.

Which of the two listed in the Declaration of Independence here came from John Locke?

• life

• liberty

• pursuit of happiness

Which of the following terms is NOT listed as an unalienable Right in this excerpt?

• life

• liberty

• property

• pursuit of happiness

The statement "all men are created equal" primarily refers to equality in:

(choose two)

• value before the Creator

• wealth and social standing

• talent and intelligence

• rights

• how big their muscles are

Match the key term on the left with its closest meaning or implication on the right.

• Creator

• The freedom to strive for personal well-being and fulfillment.

• self-evident

• Freedom from arbitrary or oppressive government control.

• liberty

• The source from which natural rights are derived.

• unalienable

• A truth that is accepted without external proof.

• purasuit of happiness

• A right that cannot be legitimately separated from the person.

What part of this did the existence of slavery in some of the colonies contradict?

What specific obligation does this sentence impose on the governments established by the people? If these truths are indeed "self-evident," then what is the moral obligation of government?

If a government does not protect the unalienable rights of the people, what does the Declaration imply the government is doing?