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Declaration of Independence

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 1hrs 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
Benjamin Franklin
b)
Samuel Adams
c)
Thomas Jefferson
d)
Paul Revere
2.

Why was this document written?

a)

The Native Americans wanted their land back.

b)

To explain why the colonists didn't want to pay taxes on tea.

c)

To explain why the colonists wanted to break free from British control.

d)

The colonists didn't want to fight with Great Britain.

3.

Jefferson stated that people have the rights to life, ________, and the pursuit of happiness.

a)

love

b)

liberty

c)

learning

d)

longevity

4.

Why was signing the Declaration considered dangerous?

a)

If they signed their name, the French would come and get them.

b)

If they signed their name and didn't win the war, the British could arrest them.

c)

If they signed their name, the Native Americans could come and get them.

d)

If they signed their name, they wouldn't win the war.

5.

What is the first line of the Declaration?

a)

When in the course of human events, it isn't important to absolve the political bands of all their nonsense which have contracted them to one another.....

b)

When in the course of human beings historical events, it becomes necessary to solve the political rock bands that have caused issues with your land lords over time.....

c)

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to one another....

d)

We, the people, hold these truths to be self-evident...

6.

According to the Declaration of Independence, where does government get its power?

a)

from the King

b)

from the Supreme Court

c)

from God

d)

from the people

7.

The List of Grievances were the part of the Declaration that

a)

listed the colonists' complaints against King George.

b)

listed a man's natural rights.

c)

introduced the Declaration.

d)

concluded the Declaration, declaring America a free country.

8.

The Preamble is...

a)

like the introduction of the Declaration and explains the importance of government.

b)

the conclusion and explains that the colonists want to fight.

c)

in the middle and lists all the complaints.

d)

where the men all signed their names.

9.

The word self-evident means what?

a)

confusing

b)

obvious

c)

wrong

d)

self-aware

10.

Who was directly addressed (talked about) in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

King George III

b)

George Washington

c)

King Phillip

d)

John Hancock

11.

According to the Declaration, what does a country have the right to do if a government is not protecting the people's rights?

a)

elect a new government

b)

move to a new country

c)

complain to the newspapers

d)

alter or abolish the government

12.

According to the Declaration, what is the purpose of a government?

a)

to make laws

b)

to protect the rights of the people

c)

to impose taxes

d)

to write documents

13.

What does the word abolish mean?

a)

to create

b)

to begin something

c)

to change

d)

to end or get rid of

14.

To Great Britain, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was...

a)

an act of loyalty.

b)

an act of treason.

c)

an act of bravery.

d)

an act of insanity.

15.

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?

a)

to discuss problems with England

b)

to plan a party for King George III

c)

to declare war

d)

to complain about the Sons of Liberty

16.

What did the delegates discuss at the Second Continental Congress?

a)

How to get rid of the King

b)

What it would be like if France was their boss

c)

Breaking away from England and becoming their own country

d)

New laws that would make King George III happy

17.

Everyone felt that becoming an independent nation was a great idea.

a)

true

b)

false

18.

What was the date the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence?

a)

July 4,1776

b)

August 2, 1776

c)

April 18, 1776

d)

December 16, 1773

19.

Thomas Jefferson borrowed many of his ideas from which Enlightenment Philosopher?

a)

John Locke

b)

Thomas Hobbes

c)

Thomas Paine

d)

John Adams

20.

Which person is the best example of someone who demonstrates tyranny?

a)

a rebel

b)

a dictator

c)

a member

d)

a challenger

21.

In a monarchy how many people or families are in charge at one time?

a)

one

b)

two

c)

three

d)

a few

22.

When is power passed down in a monarchy?

a)

when a leader gets tired

b)

when a leader dies

c)

when his son takes power from him

d)

when his first daughter marries

23.
The United States government was influenced by Ancient Rome which had a multi-branch government. Choose the best description for that government.
a)
Republic
b)
Monarchy
c)
Oligarchy
d)
Totalitarian
24.

The United States is a _________________________ democracy.

a)

direct

b)

indirect

c)

representative

d)

social

25.
The term democracy means
“rule by __________ .”
a)
the mob
b)
the monarch
c)
the president
d)
the people
26.

The Greek word "demos" means _____________________.

a)

people

b)

rule

c)

government

d)

president

27.
Tyranny is when 
a)
one person has all the power
b)
a small group has all the power
c)
a large group has all the power
d)
all of the above are true
28.
What are the two types of democracy? 
a)
žrepublican/democratic
b)
representative/direct
c)
representative/democracy
d)
fair/unfair
29.
In a representative democracy_____________.
a)
ževery citizen gets to vote.
b)
žonly the Kings get to vote.
c)
only chosen representatives get to vote
d)
žonly males get to vote.
30.
In a direct democracy_________.
a)
ževery citizen gets to vote.
b)
žonly chosen representatives get to vote.
c)
žonly the Kings get to vote.
d)
žonly males get to vote.
31.

1. True or False: The French were the Patriots' greatest ally during the American Revolution

a)

True

b)

False

32.

Common Sense was written by

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

John Locke

c)

George Washington

d)

Thomas Paine

33.

What was one purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

to establish a framework for government

b)

to express reasons for limiting immigration

c)

to state the reasons for the colonies to separate from England

d)

to list arguments for women’s suffrage

34.

Which of the following best describes what the Continental Congresses were?

a)

a series of meetings planned to respond to England

b)

a provisional government designed to negotiate peace

c)

a local Pennsylvania legislature debating England's taxes

35.

"Unalienable rights" are similar to which of the following ideas?

a)

right to rebel

b)

natural rights

c)

popular sovereignty

36.
What was the name of the British king during the American Revolution?
a)
Charles III
b)
George III
c)
William III
d)
James III
37.
Why were the American Colonist taxed after the French and Indian War?
a)
Britain was in debt and needed money
b)
That was the agreement with the Native Americans
c)
They made too much money
d)
Townshend Acts
38.

During the Boston Tea Party,

a)

colonists raided British ships and threw crates overboard.

b)

Native Americans threw tea at British troops.

c)

Americans celebrated their victory at Trenton.

d)

the cost of tea was very expensive.

39.

The American Revolution was between

a)

French & the Native Americans

b)

British & the Colonists

c)

Spain & Australia

40.

The Stamp Act put taxes on_____________

a)

tea & coffee

b)

dice, cards, newspapers,..

c)

cars & motorcycles

41.

Which slogan did the Colonists use because they were angry that they were being taxed but didn’t have any say in parliament?

a)

"GIve me Liberty or give me death"

b)

"Can't we all just get along?"

c)

"No taxation without representation!"