THOMAS JEFFERSON
JOHN ADAMS
BEN FRANKLIN
ROBERT LIVINGSTON
ROGER SHERMAN
100
Name the four parts to The Declaration of Independence.
What are the preamble, the declaration, the list of complaints and the conclusion?
100
Explain the purpose of the preamble?
The colonists declaring their independence.
100
Name the month, day, and year the declaration was signed.
What is July 4th, 1776?
100
The rights of man entitled to them by the laws of Nature and God.
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
100
According to the Declaration of Independence, a government's purpose is to represent its people. Explain the rights of the citizens regarding the governemnt.
What is the right to alter or to abolish the government and institute a new one if any government becomes destructive towards the citizens.
200
In the list of complaints, Jefferson refers to "he". Who is "he"?
Who is King George III, king of England?
200
What was Jefferson’s opinion about changing long-established governments? A - People should first encourage government leaders to resign from office. B - Governments should change whenever people disagree with a policy. C - Governments should continue unless the problems they cause are insufferable. D - Long-established governments should never change their policies. E - None of the above
What is C - Governments should continue unless the problems they cause are insufferable.
200
The declaration of this public document states that A - people have the right to overthrow a government that denies basic rights. B - the king has refused to create laws that are of immediate importance to the colonists. C - it is necessary for the colonists to list their reasons for separation from Britain. D - the United Colonies declare their independence from Britain. E - none of the above
What is A - people have the right to overthrow a government that denies basic rights?
200
As support for the argument for independence, Jefferson says that the king has A - refused to allow the colonists to build and maintain their own navy. B - stopped taxing the colonists for goods imported from Britain. C - refused to pass laws that are for the good of the people. D - raised the prices of services necessary for the colonies’ function. E. none of the above
What is C - refused to pass laws that are for the good of the people?
200
What does Jefferson say had been the king’s reaction to the colonists’ repeated petitions? A - refusing to listen to their pleas B - sending representatives to solve the problems C - failing to act on promised changes D - inflicting further harm on them
What is D - inflicting further harm on them?
300
Jefferson’s reference to the reliance on the protection of Divine Providence suggests that the colonists’ faithfully believed that A - their course of action was just and/or morally correct B - they would easily defeat the British C - God would not punish the king for his actions D - God refused to condone or allow war
What is A - their course of action was just and/or morally correct?
300
Whose action does Jefferson criticize most in the document?
Who is George III, the King of Britain?
300
Which part of Jefferson's argument states that people should give their reasons for declaring independence? A - claim B - support C - counterargument D - conclusion
What is A - claim?
300
Jefferson believes people should rebel against governments when A - people dislike the government B - governments deny people's basic rights C - taxes are too high D - leaders have been in power too long
What is B - governments deny people's basic rights?
300
The conclusion of the Declaration of independence declares, or states, that A - the United States is free B - the United States seeks only peacce C - the British should honor basic rights D - Briatin must become part of America
What is A - the United States is free?
400
According to Jefferson, what do the Colonists object to about the way laws are made and enforced in the colonies?
Laws are made and enforced without regard to the needs and desires of the Colonists and without their consent?
400
According to Jefferson, what have the Colonists done repeatedly each time they felt that they had been wronged?
The colonists have petitioned for redress repeatedly. They have warned the British and appealed for justice.
400
The Declaration claims that governments derive their "just powers from the consent of the governed." What does this claim mean?
The claim means that the government gets its power from the people's support; therefore, the government must serve the people.
400
How have the British people failed the colonists?
The British people failed the colonists by ignoring the Colonists' appeals.
500
What is the new relationship declared between the Americans and their British "brethern"?
They are friends if at peace and enemies if at war.
500
Explain how, according to Jefferson, King George suspended colonial laws.
According to Jefferson, King George "refused to assent to laws" that were necessary to the colonists. He also "forbid his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance" until his approval was given. Sometimes he took years to give his approval.
500
Explain how, according to Jefferson, King George obstructed justice and made judges dependent on his will for tenure and salaries.
According to Jefferson, King George refused to pass laws establishing judiciary powers. The few judges that existed were beholden to King George because he paid and determined their salaries and job security. Therefore they were not as objective and fair, as judges should be. This allowed the King of Britain to manipulate the judges and undermine the colonists and their rights.
500
Explain, according to Jefferson, three other greivances against the King of Britain.
According to Jefferson, King George is also guilty of - maintaining an army during times of peace - preventing the colonists from trading with other parts of the world (making them dependent on England) - taxing the colonists without their consent - depriving them of the right to trial by jury - requiring colonists to quarter British soliders
500
Explain Jefferson's counterargument.
Governments that have been established for a long time should not be changed lightly; however, the British's list of abuses and failure to pay attention to the colonists' pleas for change gives the colonists the right and duty to throw off this government and set up a new one.
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