Anatomy of the Declaration of Independence

What is the main purpose of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence?

• An introduction for the document

• To outline the rights of British citizens.
• To declare war on Britain.
• To summarize the history of the colonies.

Who is the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• Benjamin Franklin
• George Washington

What does grievances mean?

• Grievances are celebrations of achievements.
• Grievances refer to a type of food.
• Grievances are rewards for good behavior.
• Grievances are complaints or concerns about perceived wrongs.

What section takes up most of the document of the Declaration of Independence?

• The list of grievances against King George III.
• The preamble outlining the purpose of the document.
• The historical context of the American Revolution.
• The signatures of the founding fathers.

What is the purpose of the Formal Declaration portion of the Declaration of Independence?

• To declare independence from France.
• To propose a new form of government for the colonies.
• To outline the grievances against the British crown.
• To formally announce the colonies' separation from British rule.

What are the two ideas Thomas Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence that are originally ideas from John Locke?

• Separation of powers and checks and balances
• Government by consent and individual liberty
• Natural rights and the social contract
• Right to revolution and popular sovereignty

Which is NOT one of the major grievances against King George III that Thomas Jefferson included in the Constitution?

• Reorganized the Justice system and didn't allow fair trials

• Lack of a Bill of Rights
• Quartering of troops
• Taxation without representation

What did the final portion of the Declaration of Independence do?

• It declared the colonies' independence from Britain and were now the United States of America

• It established a new government structure.
• It outlined the grievances and complaints against the King.

• It called for a ceasefire with British forces so they could stop fighting to come to peace