Declaration of Independence Historical Background Homework Assessment and Vocabulary

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. "He is at this time transporting ____________________ to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny,

large armies of foreign Mercenaries

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. He has approved of laws "For quartering

large bodies of armed troops among us

For quartering large bodies of troops among us. What does quartering mean?

lodging

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. He has approved of laws "For depriving us, in many cases, ____________

of the benefits of Trial by Jury

What two things did the colonists think were "their right" to do "when a long train of abuses and usurpations" aimed at reducing them "under absolute Despotism"?

to throw off such Government and to provide new Guards for their future security

What is the term used to describe King George III to show that he was an unfit ruler in the eyes of the colonists? _________

tyant

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations. What are usurpations?

unjust uses of power

We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. What is unwarrantable jurisdiction?

unjustified authority

Pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism. What does despotism mean?

unlimited power

Already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages. What does perfidy mean?

violation of trust

How many delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence

56

Who was president of the Seond Continental Congress and also first to sign the Declaration?

John Hancock

Whose signature is the most prominent on the Declaration of Independence?

John Hancock

Who was the author of this pamplet?

Thomas Paine

Who was the actual author of the Declaration?

Thomas Jefferson

Select ALL of the members of the committee which was assigned the task of drawing up the Declaration of Independence (select all the answers that apply. -Thomas Jefferson -Benjamin Franklin -John Adams -Roger Sherman -Robert Livingston

Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin John Adams Roger Sherman Robert Livingston

Select ALL of the truths that are "self evident" (select all the answers that apply -that all men are created equal -that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights -that among these are

-that all men are created equal -that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights

Select ALL the specific things Declaration stated that the colonies could do as "Free and Independent States" (select all the answers that apply): -Power to levy War -conclude Peace -contract Alliances -establish commerce

-Power to levy War -conclude Peace -contract Alliances -establish commerce

Select ALL of the parts of the Declaration of Independence (select all the answers that apply) -Preamble and Declaration of Natural Rights -List of Grievances -Resolution of Independence -Article VII -Article IV

-Preamble and Declaration of Natural Rights -List of Grievances -Resolution of Independence

What were the names of the two future presidents of the United States that signed the Declaration of Independence? -Thomas Jefferson -John Adams -Samuel Adams -Benjamin Franklin

-Thomas Jefferson -John Adams

What do all of the things the people have a right to do, according to the Declaration, if a government "becomes destructive of these ends"? -alter it -abolish it -institute new Government -laying its foundation -Right of the People

-alter it -abolish it -institute new Government

What are all of the basic "unalienable" rights? -life -liberty -pursuit of happiness -property -social security -retirement

-life -liberty -pursuit of happiness

Select all the things the signers of the Declaration pledge in the name of freedom (select all the answers that apply): -our social security -our lives -our fortunes -our sacred honor our retirement

-our lives -our fortunes -our sacred honor

How many grievances are listed in the Declaration of Independence?

27

At age 70, who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence?

Benjamin Franklin

What is the title of the pamphlet that influenced many people in favor of complete independence from England?

Common Sense

Name the building where the Second Continental Congress assembled.

Independence Hall

In what building, in what city is the orginial copy of the Declaration kept?

National Archives Building in Washington D. C.

Name the city where the Second Continental Congress assembled.

Philiadalphia

By whom was the actual declaration of the separation of the colonies from the mother country (Britain) being made?

Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress (also known as the Second Continental Congress

Name the patriot who introduced the resolution for independence in the Continental Congress.

Richard Henry Lee

Quote the words in the Declaration that state definitely that the colonies were no longer a part of the British Empire (about 15 words):

That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States

That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. What is an unalienable right?

a right that cannot be surrendered

The Declaration of Independence was adopted when?

adopted on July 4 1776.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms. What does petitioned for redress mean?

asked formally for a correction of wrongs

Where do these governments that are "instituted among Men" derive (get) their powers?

consent of the government

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. "He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and __________

destroyed the lives of our people

A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. What does impel mean?

force

When was the Declaration of Independence produced?

in the early part of the Revolutionary War

That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. What does endowed mean?

provided

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us. What are insurrections?

rebellions

Appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions. What does rectitude mean?

rightness

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. He has approved of laws "For imposing

taxes on us without our Consent

Of necessity, what were the colonists constrained to do?

to alter their former System of Government

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. He has approved of laws "For transporting us beyond the seas, ______________

to be tried for pretended offences

For what purpose are governments "instituted among men"?

to secure the rights

Section 2 of the Declaration of Independence contains a long list of complaints or grievances. Fill in the missing words. He has approved of laws "For cutting off our trade

with all parts of the world