1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence is to proclaim the right of the American colonies to separate from Great Britain.
2. Identify the three unalienable rights of individuals (written in the 1776 context as men) as stated in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
3. According to the Declaration of Independence, from whom do governments get their power?
Governments get their power from the people. Since all people have the rights, the unalienable rights, people agree to form governments to protect their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
4. According to the Declaration of Independence, what should people do when the government abuses its power?
When government violates the natural or inalienable rights of its citizens, it is the citizens’ duty to abolish the government and create a new one.
5. List 10 of the grievances by colonists that are identified.
Refused to approve laws when they were needed
Forbid Governors to pass laws until the King approved them, and he ignored these requests for new laws
Refused to pass laws for the people unless they gave up their right to representation in Parliament
Tried to control colonial legislatures, including closing some (Massachusetts)
Made colonial legislatures meet in uncomfortable surroundings
Prevented the election of new legislators when other he dissolved existing ones.
Obstructed justice by refusing to have a judiciary
Refused to let settlers move west
Prevented justice by making judges dependent upon the king for their jobs and pay
Sent officers (custom officials) to harass the people.
6. What did the signers of the Declaration of Independence want to do?
They wanted the colonies to break free from British rule. The signers wanted the colonies to be recognized as Free and Independent States. They wanted to free the colonies