AnswersHSA 26-27 US GovernmentThe Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence Answers

9 verified answers1 views
1
Free Preview

The preamble to the Declaration of Independence outlines the principles upon which the new government would be based. Which of these best describes one of those principles?

A
a government based on a social contract
B
the end of taxation without representation
C
the removal of the British military
D
a need for equality regardless of race or gender
2
Free Preview

Who was appointed to write the Declaration of Independence?

J
James Madison
T
Thomas Jefferson
J
John Locke
T
Thomas Paine
3

In which section of the Declaration of Independence is the purpose of government described?

A
the Preamble
B
the body
C
the conclusion
D
the grievances
4

What event prompted the formation of the First Continental Congress?

A
the Boston Massacre
B
the Boston Tea Party
C
the battles of Lexington and Concord
D
the publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
5

Which best summarizes the social contract outlined in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence?

A
Government has the power to protect natural rights, but states must also protect their rights.
B
Government has the power to protect natural rights, but people must also protect their rights.
C
Government has the power to protect natural rights, but people can change their government if it fails to do so.
D
Government has the power to protect natural rights, but states can challenge the government if it fails to do so.
6

Which best describes the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?

A
It was the group of leaders who worked to create the Declaration of Independence.
B
It was the group of citizens who protested taxation without representation.
C
It was the group of treasonous British soldiers who inhibited Britain’s ability to collect taxes.
D
It was the group of colonists who planted the seeds for the development of the Continental army.
7

Which example describes natural rights?

A
rights that are given under specific circumstances
B
rights that are granted to only certain citizens
C
rights that can be restricted by government
D
rights that should be protected by the government
8

"For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world."

T
The colonists could not acquire goods without illegal smuggling.
T
The colonists were exporting too many goods.
T
The British closed all ports except for Boston.
T
The colonists could export goods only to Britain.
9

most

u
unalienable
g
government
l
legal
v
voting
10

As the colonies moved toward independence, the First Continental Congress was created in

1
1768.
1
1776.
1
1760.
1
1774.
11

In Thomas Paine's published essay Common Sense, he calls for

A
the colonists to support the Sugar Act.
B
The creation of a democratic republic.
C
the establishment of a new monarchy.
D
Great Britian to supply extra money to the colonies.
12

Read the quote from Thomas Jefferson.That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights, as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.

A
government
B
natural law
C
society
D
divine right
13

Why were taxes an ongoing source of conflict for the American colonists?

A
They did not get sufficient government services.
B
They paid a higher tax rate than those living in England.
C
They were taxed without having representation in Parliament.
D
They felt the taxes should be invested in colonial infrastructure.
14

The Declaration of Independence refers to the Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness as being unalienable. What does unalienable mean?

A
not foreign
B
indisputable
C
negotiable
D
transferable
15

Does the preamble to the Declaration of Independence indicate reasons why the new independent government might be similarly removed or overthrown? Why or why not?

A
No. It demands reconciliation between the government and the governed.
B
Yes. It outlines when it is appropriate to remove a government.
C
No. It states that governments cannot simply be changed.
D
Yes. It indicates that the will of the people must be followed.
16

Which had the greatest influence in prompting the Second Continental Congress to declare independence?

A
the battles of Lexington and Concord
B
King George III’s rejection of peaceful reconciliation
C
financial support from France and Spain
D
increased open public support for independence
17

Which best describes the main action called for by the Declaration of Independence?

A
to seek peace with Great Britain
B
to give the United States the power of self-government
C
to declare war on Great Britain
D
to create the First Continental Congress
18

The Declaration of Independence intended to end British rule in the colonies, and grant citizens

A
the right to freedom of speech
B
the right to self-govern
C
the ability to live without a government
D
the ability to vote for a president
19

Why did Thomas Paine question British authority to rule the colonies in Common Sense?

A
He believed the king would only approve laws that benefited Britain.
B
He believed Parliament did not understand the needs of the American people.
C
He believed British laws could not be enforced from a distance.
D
He believed the size of the colonies made them impossible for Britain to rule.
20

John Locke, an Enlightenment-era philosopher, influenced the American movement for independence. Locke believed that all people were entitled to natural rights. Which quotation from the preamble to the Declaration of Independence refers to natural rights?

A
“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
B
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
C
“[I]t is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
D
“[T]hey are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Did you find these answers helpful?

More from this Course

Quiz
20 verified answers

The Declaration of Independence

Quiz
10 verified answers

The Declaration of Independence

Quiz
10 verified answers

The Need for a Constitution