Founding Ideals

All Americans are equal.

• strongly disagree

• mildly disagree

• strongly agree

• mildly disagree

Some Americans have more rights than others.

• strongly disagree

• mildly disagree

• strongly agree

• mildly disagree

Americans have all the freedoms they deserve.

• strongly disagree

• mildly disagree

• strongly agree

• mildly disagree

All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life.

• strongly disagree

• mildly disagree

• strongly agree

• mildly disagree

Wealthy people have a more powerful voice in American democracy than do others.

• strongly disagree

• mildly disagree

• strongly agree

• mildly disagree

Where in the Declaration of Independence can you find references to equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy?

Answer explanation

These ideals are found in the following phrases:

Equality: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Rights: “That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”

Liberty: “That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Opportunity: “That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Democracy: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Why is the Declaration of Independence an important document?

Answer explanation

The Declaration expresses important ideals that have inspired and challenged Americans for more than 200 years.

Where did founders like Thomas Jefferson get inspiration for the ideals in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer explanation

The ideals were familiar to Americans of the time and had been written about and discussed in the years leading up to the Declaration.