History Quiz

Born into one of the most prominent families in ___________ (on his mother's side), Jefferson studied at the ___________________________________________ and began practicing law in _________.

- Virginia - College of William and Mary in Williamsburg 1767

According to the website, who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

What is the significance of "Monticello"?

Monticello is Jefferson's hilltop estate in Albemarle County

Jefferson created the draft of the Declaration of Independence. a. According to the website, what portion struck the "deepest chords in the hearts and minds of Americans"? b. Why do you suppose this section struck such a "deep chord"?

- the Preamble - This section struct the most important because the preamble starts with all men are equal and that people should have life, liberty, and happiness. People shouldn't be worried about not being equal or within but just be happy with who and how are they created.

According to the website, what is Jefferson's most enduring legacy?

-Declaration of Independence -the eloquent expression of liberty -equality and democracy upon which the country was founded

Why information does the website provide to suggest that Jefferson has a "complicated legacy"?

-He says that he had an affair with one of his slaves named Sally Hemmings and had several children together -His complicated history is that he wrote the deceleration of independence but he had has slaves in his personal life

Who was part of the five-man committee with Thomas Jefferson AND what was this committee tasked with doing?

-John Adams of Massachusetts -Roger Sherman of Connecticut -Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania -Robert R. Livingston of New York -Thomas Jefferson The committee was tasked with drafting the declaration of independence

Briefly describe Jefferson's life and accomplishments after he drafted the Declaration of Independence.

-in 1785 he succeeded franklin as a sinister -Jefferson wasn't known as the main author of the declaration of independence till the 1790s -served as Secretary of State in the cabinet of President George Washington -leader of a Republican party that championed the state's rights and opposed the strong centralized government favored by Alexander Hamilton's Federalists - Elected as the third president of the United States

By the ______________________, more and more colonists favored an official and permanent break from Great Britain; in mid-May, ________ of the 13 colonies said they would support independence.

-late spring of 1776 - 8

The 33-year-old Jefferson may have been a ________________ public speaker in Congressional debates, but he used his skills as a ____________________________ to support the patriotic cause.

-shy, awkward -writer and correspondent

In 1774, Jefferson wrote "A Summary View of the Rights of British America". a. What did Jefferson claim in this document? How did the publishing of the document affect Jefferson?

a. Claimed that the colonies were tied to the king only by voluntary bonds of loyalty b. The document extended Jefferson's reputation beyond Virginia, and he became known as an eloquent voice for the cause of American independence from Britain. The document was also published without Jefferson's permission.