The Declaration of Independence / quiz

Which best summarizes the social contract outlined in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence? Government has the power to protect natural rights, but states must also protect their rights. Government has the power to protect natural rights, but people must also protect their rights. Government has the power to protect natural rights, but people can change their government if it fails to do so. Government has the power to protect natural rights, but states can challenge the government if it fails to do so.

Government has the power to protect natural rights, but people can change their government if it fails to do so.

Which best describes the purpose of the Second Continental Congress? It was the group of leaders who worked to create the Declaration of Independence. It was the group of citizens who protested taxation without representation. It was the group of treasonous British soldiers who inhibited Britain's ability to collect taxes. It was the group of colonists who planted the seeds for the development of the Continental army.

It was the group of leaders who worked to create the Declaration of Independence.

Read the excerpt from the Arizona Republic editorial "Supreme Court Affirms the Right to Pursue Happiness," published on June 26, 2015, about a case that resulted in nationwide legal recognition of same-sex marriage. It's a day to remind ourselves of what it says in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Not all truths are self-evident to us, of course. Some things take time. Too much time. What conclusion about unalienable rights can best be drawn from the excerpt? Rights are always quickly identified and protected by the government. The only rights the government protects are life, liberty, and happiness. People do not always agree about what rights everyone should have. Citizens cannot ask the government to fix problems or protect new rights.

People do not always agree about what rights everyone should have.

The image shows a 2018 rally supporting a lawsuit seeking government action on climate change. How do the protestors with the signs saying "A livable planet is an unalienable right" and "Life, liberty, property" use the Declaration of Independence to express an opinion? The signs reference the role of the government in protecting the natural rights of the people. The signs list the grievances of the citizens against the government in a specific way. The signs establish the obligation of people to create a new government if the old one fails. The signs identify a specific failure of the government and gives ways it can be fixed.

The signs reference the role of the government in protecting the natural rights of the people.

As the result of a conflict between British troops and a colonial militia in Massachusetts, the Boston Tea Party took place. Thomas Paine published Common Sense. the First Continental Congress was established. British troops began staying in the homes of colonists.

Thomas Paine published Common Sense.

Read the quotation from the Declaration of Independence. "For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world." Which reason best explains why this grievance was included in the Declaration? The colonists could not get goods without the Crown's permission. The colonists could export goods only to Britain. The British closed ports to punish the colonies. Trade focused on generating income for the Crown only.

Trade focused on generating income for the Crown only.

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

Yes. It outlines when it is appropriate to remove a government.

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 government based on a social contract the end of taxation without representation the removal of the British military a need for equality regardless of race or gender

a government based on a social contract

In which section of the Declaration of Independence is the purpose of government described? the Preamble the body the conclusion the grievances

the Preamble

Which part of the Declaration of Independence acts as an implied plan of action, in that it lists laws and practices to be changed? the introduction the preamble the body the conclusion

the body