Declaration of Independence Test

Which colonial leader introduced the ideas of John Locke's "social contract theory" into the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• James Madison

• Thomas Paine

According the Declaration of Independence, which of these is a natural right?

• the right to vote

• the right to bear arms

• the right to pursue happiness

• the right to equal protection of the laws

The Second Continental Congress had to decide whether to continue working toward independence or to . . .

• split with Britain.

• fight the Indians in the west.

• declare war with France.

• negotiate with the colonies.

English leaders believed the main purpose of the colonies was to . . .

• become a rival of England.

• develop a government independent of England.

• grow to become an equal trading partner with England.

• prosper enough to benefit England.

A "legislature" is . . .

• an agreement among the people in a society.

• an assembly of judges.

• a lawmaking body.

• the principle that a ruler or government is not all powerful.

At the First Continental Congress, colonists . . .

• declared war on Great Britain.

• demanded that King George III restore their rights.

• ended the boycott of British goods.

• signed the Declaration of Independence.

Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu . . .

• argued that the laws of nature also applied to human life and society.

• did not believe that the laws of the universe could be discovered.

• invested in the Virginia Company.

• rebelled against King John of England, who had treated them harshly.

Which of these was not a part of the "Committee of Five" who drafted the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

• Robert Livingston

• George Washington

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

• to explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain.

• to start the American Revolution.

• to offer a peace settlement to Great Britain.

• to instruct how a country wins its freedom.

Why did Thomas Jefferson say that King George III was a tyrant?

• He denied the colonists their rights.

• He was not born in Great Britain.

• He was not elected by Parliament.

• He lived far away from the colonies.