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Declaration of Independence Ws With DBQ Questions

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18 views5 pages

Declaration of Independence Ws With DBQ Questions

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bobbillyhduf07
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name: Connor Smith Period: 8

Do not just copy and paste answers. You need to type them in yourself, and most often, put them in your own words. (I
realize that some of them that isn’t practical...)

1) What are the four major parts of the Declaration of Independence? (note – in the book it only lists three…
however, nearly every other source out there lists 4. You will need to know 4 for the test.)

Preamble/Introduction, Declaration of Natural Rights, List of Grievances,


Declaration of Independence/Creation of New Nation

Look at the Declaration of Independence in your book on pg 122. (Or you can Google it.)
2) What truths did Thomas Jefferson say were held to be “self-evident”? (Make sure to include the “unalienable
rights.”)

We hold these truths to de self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

3) According to the Declaration of Independence, where do the rights of government come from? (Who gives the
government the right to govern?)

The government gets its power to govern from the people it governs.

This is part of a paragraph that was originally in the Declaration of Independence: “He has waged cruel war against
human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never
offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their
transportation thither… Determined to keep open a market where Men should be bought & sold… “

4) What is Thomas Jefferson talking about in this paragraph?


That King George was being cruel to everyone even the ones who didn’t offend him.

5) Why is it interesting that he would include this paragraph?

King George is a bully even to those who admire him


6) This paragraph is not in the Declaration of Independence that we have today. Why do you think it was removed?

Because it is violating sacred territory

7) At the end of the Declaration, what did the signers agree to do?

Break up with Britain

8) What do you think that means?


They don’t want to be apart of Britain anymore

9) Would you have signed the Declaration had you been there? Why or why not?

I would have because it would make me famous

In a recent survey conducted by the National Archives, the Declaration of Independence topped
all others to emerge as the "most influential document in American history." Many Americans
think of the Declaration as a symbol of the independence from Great Britain that we celebrate on
July 4th. While it is certainly that, the Declaration is also a statement of our nation's main beliefs
about government and its relationship to the people. These beliefs have been the centerpiece of
American history for nearly 250 years.

There are 4 main ideals in the Declaration: equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed,
the right to alter or abolish government.

Source: Declaration of Sentiments, Women's Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, NY, 1848.

Note: In July 1848, approximately 260 women and 40 men met in Seneca Falls, New York,
for one of the first women's rights conventions. The convention adopted a
"Declaration of Sentiments."

... We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women
are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are
instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed.

Source: Diana Pham, Chicago, IL, July 2012.


Note: Diana Pham and her husband, Vi Luu, arrived in Chicago in 1980
from refugee camps in Indonesia and Malaysia. Diana was recently
asked what she appreciated most about her new country.

As immigrant boat people from communist Vietnam, we appreciate the


opportunity given to us to build our lives in the United States. Our two
daughters are just finishing their university education at Stanford and
Michigan which would never have been possible without this country's
belief in equality. My daughters, like other Americans, had an equal
opportunity to succeed. America has given our family the chance to
become whatever we choose to become.

10. What do you think the principle of equality meant to most Americans in 1776?

11. Why do you think the Declaration of Sentiments used the exact same language that is in the Declaration of
Independence?

12. What does "equality" mean to Dian Pham?


It means equal

13. What does equality mean to you?


Being equal
Source: Andrew Sullivan, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," This I Believe ,
National Public Radio, July 4, 2005.
I believe in life. I believe in treasuring it as a mystery ... that should never be destroyed....

I believe in liberty. I believe that within every soul lies the [ability] to reach for its
own good.... I believe in a system of government that places liberty at the center
of its concerns .... I believe in the right to own property [and} to maintain it....

I believe in the pursuit of happiness. Not its attainment, nor its final definition, but its
pursuit. I believe in the journey, not the arrival. ...

14. Why do you think Sullivan says he believes in the pursuit of happiness, rather than
happiness itself? Do you agree with him? Explain.

15. Is it possible for a society to achieve equality without liberty? Explain.

16. Can a society achieve liberty without equality? Explain.

Source: "Tiananmen Square Massacre 20 Years On,"


The Telegraph (UK).

Note: In the spring of 1989, Chinese


university students and other protestors
occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
They condemned government
corruption and called for a change to
democracy. The photograph
shows demonstrating high school
students. On June 4, the protests were
crushed by the Chinese government. Up
to 3,000 people were killed.

17. Why did the students protest at Tiananmen Square? What was the result?
The government their killed up to 3,000 people for protesting
18. In a government based on the consent of the governed, who is the ultimate authority?
The people
19. In a country like China, do you think it is possible to achieve liberty without the consent of the
governed? Explain.
yes
20. Can you achieve happiness without the consent of the governed? Why or why not?
yes
Source: Carol Moore Report, July 3, 2008.

Note: The photo is from the blog of


an activist in the Vermont
secession movement. This
movement was launched in 2003
by people who were angry about
the bigness of the federal
government. The goal was to
return Vermont to the
independent status it had
between 1777-1791, before it
joined the Union. Traditionally,
an upside-down flag was a
distress signal for ships at sea.

Source: "Declaration of Tea Party Independence," February 24, 2010.

Note: The Tea Party movement takes its name from the Boston Tea Party of the revolutionary era.
Tea Party members believe in following the words and intent of the Declaration and the Constitution.
They support a smaller government, lower taxes, and reduction of the national debt.

Declaration of Tea Party Independence


As the course of human events winds its way through History, it has found some paths
lead to Tyranny and some to Liberty. In seeking a path to Liberty, a great and powerful
movement is now rising from every comer of our land. Created by the Will of the American
People, it rejects unconstitutional domination by the Government that is supposed to be its
servant. This movement has arisen, in large part, because our elected officials have failed us....
Therefore, Individuals acting through the Tea Party Movement, seek to restore the
policies, which are proven to safeguard liberty and prosperity for all. We will organize,
demonstrate and vote until this restoration has been achieved.

21. What is the overall message of this photograph?


It means that the people have the rights to alter or abolish the government
22. What is the Tea Party?
It demonstrates and vote until this restoration of policies
23. What does the Tea Party hope to achieve - altering or abolishing the government? Give
evidence to support your answer.
The restoration of policies

24. What is more important: equality or the right to alter or abolish one's government? Why?
equality

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