Declaration of Independence Study Guide
56. His $5,000 investment in his friend's company increased in value to how much?
$125,000
16. How many grievances against the King are listed in the Declaration?
27
24. How many Declaration signers later signed the U.S. Constitution?
3
59. How many votes did the President need to pass his Gun Control bill on the last West Wing episode?
5
4. What type of rights did John Locke speak about?
Natural rights
52. What is a militia?
A civilian or citizen army
61. What is a bill?
A proposed or suggested law
40. Despotism
Absolute and oppressive rule by a single authority.
32. Endowed by their Creator
Belief that certain rights are granted to individuals by a higher power (often understood to be God).
27. Who was another important leader who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Benjamin Franklin
Abolishing
Completely ending or eliminating, often in the context of practices or institutions.
21. What action does the Declaration prohibit the independent states from taking?
Establishing a national bank
34. Just powers
Fair and rightful authorities or abilities.
13. Where does the Declaration state that government power is derived from?
Consent of the governed (permission of the people)
7. What country were the colonists hoping would help them fight the war against the British?
France
41. Laws of nature
Fundamental principles that govern human behavior and interactions, often considered universal and inherent.
Posterity
Future generations or descendants.
57. Why was Leo's wife so made at him on the last West Wing episode?
He forgot their wedding anniversary
2. What was a major criticism of the main author of the Declaration?
He owned slaves
58. Why was President Bartlett acting so strange on the last West Wing episode?
He took too many pain killers
Candid
Honest and straightforward in expression or communication.
Inestimable
Impossible to calculate, measure, or determine accurately.
54. What is insider trading?
Insider trading is when people use secret information about a company to buy or sell its stock and make money.
17. Which future president is noted as not being a signer of the Declaration?
James Madison
22. Who was the president of the Continental Congress that signed the Declaration?
John Hancock
3. What philosopher's ideas about rights influenced the Declaration?
John Locke
25. On what date was the Declaration adopted by the Continental Congress?
July 4, 1776
12. Who does the Declaration criticize and list grievances against?
King George III
5. What were the 3 rights that John Locke spoke about?
Life, Liberty, and Property
6. What are the three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration?
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
60. How many votes are necessary to pass a bill in the Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate)?
Majority vote (51%)
26. Where was the Declaration approved and announced?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
44. Quartering
Providing accommodations or housing, often in the context of military personnel.
20. Which listed grievance refers to quartering of troops in colonists' homes?
Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us
29. Unalienable rights
Rights that cannot be taken away or denied, often considered to be inherent to every individual.
30. Self-evident truths
Statements that are clear and obvious without needing further explanation or evidence.
19. For what entity does the Declaration proclaim independence?
The 13 Colonies
28. John Adams, besides being one of the original signers of the Declaration of Indepdendence, was also...
The 2nd president of the United States
9. What's the name of the war that the colonists fought against the British?
The American Revolution
50. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights
10. What is one of the events that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
The Boston Tea Party
15. What entity does the Declaration proclaim the colonists are absolved from allegiance to?
The British crown
49. What is considered the Supreme Law of the Land in the United States?
The Constitution
18. What European philosophical movement influenced the ideals expressed in the Declaration?
The Enlightenment
63. What branch of government is the President in?
The Executive Branch
11. What other major movement was inspired by the Declaration of Independence?
The French Revolution
62. Who proposes the most bills?
The President
51. What is the 2nd Amendment about?
The Right to Bear Arms
38. Redress of grievances
The correction or resolution of complaints or injustices.
33. Pursuit of happiness
The freedom to seek and strive for personal well-being, fulfillment, and contentment.
31. Consent of the governed
The idea that a government's legitimacy and authority come from the agreement and approval of the people it governs.
43. Magnanimity
The quality of being generous and forgiving, often exhibited by someone in a position of power.
39. Prudence
The quality of exercising careful judgment and decision-making, often considering potential consequences.
36. Form of government
The specific structure, organization, and rules that define a political system.
Who was the main author who drafted the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
8. Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
To explain why the colonists were breaking away from Britain
53. What does "to infringe" mean?
To limit
55. Who was accused of possible insider trading on the last West Wing episode?
Toby
35. Tyranny
Unjust and oppressive use of power, often by a ruler or government.
42. Usurpations
Unlawful or unauthorized seizures of power or authority.
64. Who got the credit for passing the Gun Control law on the last West Wing episode?
Vice President Hoynes
23. Which European thinker's ideas did not influence the Declaration?
Voltaire
46. Common good
Well-being and interests shared by the entire community or society.
14. Under what condition does the Declaration state people can abolish their existing government?
When it becomes destructive of their rights
