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GOV DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 

According to the Declaration, what gave Americans the right to start their own government?
a.
The laws of nature and natures God
c.
The laws of nature and the Bible.
b.
English Bill of Rights
d.
The Constitution
 

 2. 

The words of the Declaration clearly show that the main desire of the colonists was to get  _____ .
a.
respect and freedom.
c.
more money for their exports.
b.
fewer taxes so the colonists could protect their wealth
d.
better trade with England and other countries of the world
 

 3. 

“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power” Why was this offensive to Americans?
a.
We believe that the military should be mannerly and show respect for civilians
c.
We believe the civilians should always be superior to the military.
b.
The military should be superior to civilians but not the civil government
d.
We believe the civilians should be superior to the military except in time of war
 

 4. 

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
a.
John Adams
c.
Samuel Adams
b.
Thomas Paine
d.
Thomas Jefferson
 

 5. 

To whom was the Declaration addressed?
a.
King Henry of England
c.
General Cornwallis
b.
The Parliament
d.
King George of England
 

 6. 

According to the Declaration, what is the purpose of government?
a.
To provide laws that apply equally to everyone.
c.
That point is not discussed in the Declaration.
b.
Provide services and a good life for the citizens.
d.
Protect unalienable rights of citizens
 

 7. 

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good” What does this mean?
a.
The king has refused to write new laws necessary for the public good.
c.
The king has refused to discuss laws, necessary for ht colonies.
b.
The king has refused to allow parliament to write necessary laws.
d.
The king has refused to agree to necessary laws
 

 8. 

“For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us” What does this mean?
a.
The king sent large armies into New York
c.
Civilians were forced to take soldiers into their homes.
b.
The colonists had to pay for one quarter of the cost of British armies.
d.
The king sent large armies into Canada
 

 9. 

The Declaration refers often to “legislatures” in the colonies. What are legislatures?
a.
Another name for the court system
c.
The part of government used by the king to enforce the laws.
b.
Places where laws are enforced
d.
Places where laws are written
 

 10. 

What does, “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,” mean?
a.
We appeal to the United Nations to prove what we are doing is legal
c.
we appeal to god to punish us if what we are doing is not legal
b.
we appeal to the Supreme Court of the U.S. that what we are doing is legal.
d.
we appeal to god to prove what we are doing is moral.
 

 11. 

What are unalienable Rights?
a.
Rights that cannot be taken away.
c.
Rights for aliens
b.
Rights provided in the Constitution
d.
Rights provided by the Declaration of Independence
 

 12. 

”For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States” What is a mock trial?
a.
A trial in which the outcome is decided before the trial begins.
c.
A trial that “mocks” the British
b.
A trial that makes fun of the colonists
d.
A trial that is not serious
 

 13. 

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” What is divine providence?
a.
God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny
c.
As long as the colonists pledge their lives and honor, god will protect them
b.
The army of Washington, camped at Providence, RI will protect the colonists.
d.
The king is at odds with god in this matter.
 

 14. 

What political philosophy inspired the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
a.
Plato’s Republic
c.
The Enlightenment
b.
Aristilian Logic
d.
Rationalism
 

 15. 

Students are protesting the war in Iraq. The government tells them that they cannot protest. The students feel their rights are being violated so they call for the overthrow of the government and the installation of a Communist government in its place. What does the Declaration say about this.
a.
The students have a right to protest but they do not have a right to overthrow the government.
c.
The students have a right to overthrow the government if it is destructive to their freedom.
b.
The students have a right to overthrow the government but not install a Communist government because Communists are dictators.
d.
The students have to follow the procedures outlined in the Declaration to prove the government is oppressing them
 

 16. 

The Declaration of Independence was signed on
a.
August 8, 1781
c.
July 4, 1776
b.
July 7, 1776
d.
July 4, 1781
 

 17. 

As discussed in class, the Declaration is three things. Which item below is not one of those things.
a.
A statement of philosophy
c.
A list of grievances
b.
An plan for a new American Government
d.
A declaration of war
 

 18. 

The Declaration of Independence was written in
a.
Boston
c.
Washington D.C.
b.
New York
d.
Philadelphia
 

 19. 

At what meeting was the Declaration of Independence written.
a.
First Continental Congress
c.
Constitution Convention
b.
Second Continental Congress
d.
Declaration Convention
 

 20. 

What does the Declaration say about human nature?
a.
People who are being oppressed are quick to demand changes
c.
People are more likely to suffer under an oppressive government than change it
b.
People are never satisfied
d.
People often do not know when they are being oppressed.
 

 21. 

According to the Declaration, where does government get it’s power?
a.
The consent of the governed
c.
The Bill of Rights
b.
The Constitution
d.
The consent of the government
 

 22. 

Before writing the Declaration, the colonists made one last attempt to make peace with the king. What was that attempt called?
a.
The Olive Branch Demands
c.
The Declaration of Peace
b.
The Olive Branch Petition
d.
The Declaration of Loyalty
 

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
 

 23. 

At the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, only Virginia, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania had their own governor, legislature and court systems.
 

 24. 

Most dictators fear the words and ideas of the Declaration of Independence
Most ordinary, common people of the world are inspired by it’s ideas and words.
Most Americans take it for granted.
 

 25. 

The person who wrote the Declaration of Independence was chosen to write the document because he, himself, did not own any slaves.
 

 26. 

Though slavery existed at the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the words inspired African Americans to seek equality and were often quoted by Martin Luther King.
 

 27. 

The term, “all men are created equal,” is a generic term that referred to all mankind.
 

 28. 

Dr. Martin Luther King quotes the Declaration of Independence in his famous, “I Have a Dream,” speech.
 

 29. 

The political ideas of John Locke inspired the writing of the Declaration of Independence
 

 30. 

The Declaration of Independence was the first set of laws established for the new United States of America?
 



 
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