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Declaring Independence

Total questions: 23

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which group of colonies is not correct?

a)

Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

b)

Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

c)

New York, California, Florida, Montana

d)

Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts

2.

The Lexington events in 1775 hit the colonists hard. Use two different colors. You'll use one color to identify one group of colonists and their opinion. You'll use the other color for the other group of colonists and their opinion.

a)

Loyalists

b)

Patriots

c)

"Our colonies should govern themselves. It's time we become a separate country."

d)

"Of course, we disagree with the laws of Great Britain, but we can still settle this conflict peacefully, and we must remain part of Great Britain."

3.

What was the Second Continental Congress?

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4.

When was the Second Continental Congress held?

a)

May 1775

b)

October 1775

c)

January 1776

d)

July 1776

5.

Where was the Second Continental Congress held?

a)

Atlanta, Georgia

b)

Washington, D. C.

c)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

d)

Boston, Massachusetts

6.

Who was elected President of the Second Continental Congress?

a)

Benjamin Franklin

b)

Thomas Paine

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

John Hancock

7.

What were the first two acts that were decided for by the Second Continental Congress?

a)

The creation of the Continental Army.

b)

The Olive Branch Petition

c)

The Declaration of Independence

d)

The Act of Loyalty to the Colonies

8.

What was the Continental Army? Give all the details.

4 lines
9.

What was the Oliver Branch Petition?

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10.

What was Common Sense?

a)

A pamphlet, or a little book, that gave reasons why the Colonies should remain part of Great Britain.

b)

A pamphlet, or a little book, that gave reasons why the Colonies should become a new nations.

c)

A long book telling the history of the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain.

d)

A pamphlet, or a little book, telling about the rules a well educated man should follow to begave properly in the colonial society.

11.

Who was the author of Common Sense?

a)

John Hancock

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

Thomas Paine

d)

Benjamin Franklin

12.

When was Common Sense written?

a)

May 1775

b)

October 1775

c)

Jamuary 1776

d)

July 1776

13.

Choose the group of reasons why the colonies should choose independence according to Common Sense. Remember, all of the reasons of a group must be right.

a)

Monarchy is not a proper form of Government.
The wrongs Britain has done are too serious to be mended by future acts of indulgence..
Independence would grant the colonies peace,
Independence would allow the colonies to make commercial treaties with countries England was at war with.

b)

Monarchy is a proper form of Government, but this King is evil.
The wrongs Britain has done are not too serious, but the colonists are too angry to make peace.
Independence would grant the colonies wealth,
Independence would allow the colonies to make commercial treaties with countries England was at peace with.

c)

The colonies will be able to make their king.
The colonists behaved very poorly, and England wanted to get rid of the American colonies.
Independence will give the colonists the right to keep as many slaves as they want.
Independence would allow the colonies to choose who they want to trade with,

14.

What was the effect of Common Sense on the members of the Second Continental Congress?

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15.

What happened in June 1776?

a)

Thomas Jefferson requested to vote for independence.

b)

John Adams petitioned Great Britain for peace again.

c)

Richard Henry Lee requested requested to vote for independence.

d)

Benjamin Franklin petitioned Great Britain for peace again.

16.

Who were the members of the committee encharged of writing a Declaration of Independence?

a)

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Mary Shelley, and Robert Livingston.

b)

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, George Washington, and Robert Livingston.

c)

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

d)

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

17.

Who was the member of the committee who did the actual writing?

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18.

When was the Declaration of Independence approved by the Second Continental Congress?

a)

June 30, 1775

b)

July 4, 1775

c)

July 4, 1776

d)

August 8, 1776

19.

Rewrite the follow sentence from the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equalm that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

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20.

What are the powers of a Nation, according to the Declaration of Independence?

a)
  • - begin war

  • - conclude peace

  • - make treaties

  • - establish trade

b)
  • - begin war

  • - conclude peace

  • - make treaties

  • - establish trade

  • - choose the religion its citizens must follow

c)
  • - take off freedom from its citizens

  • - conclude peace

  • - make treaties

  • - establish trade

d)
  • - begin war

  • - conclude peace

  • - decide what its citizens must think

  • - establish trade

21.

When did the members of the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence?

a)

December 1775

b)

June 1776

c)

July 4, 1776

d)

August 1776

22.

Who was the first one to sign it?

a)

Thomas Jefferson, because he had written it.

b)

Benjamin Franklin because he was the most educated member of the Congress.

c)

John Hancock, because he was the President of the Congress.

d)

George Washington, because he was the head of the Continental Army.

23.

Why is the Declaration of Independence still regarded as a modern document?

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