8th Grade Interim Assessment #1 Intervention - 8.1.2
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Paine’s Common Sense “[T]here is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually [forever] governed by an island.” This argument against British rule over America appeared in Common Sense, a 47-page pamphlet published in January 1776 that urged separation from Great Britain. Common Sense was published anonymously—that is, without the author’s name. The author, Thomas Paine, argued that citizens, not kings and queens, should make laws. At a time when monarchs ruled much of the world, this was a bold idea. News of the pamphlets spread throughout the colonies, eventually selling some 500,000 copies. Paine reached a wide audience by writing as a common person speaking to common people. Common Sense changed the way many colonists viewed their king. It made a strong case for economic freedom and for the right to military self-defense. It cried out against tyranny—that is, the abuse of government power. Thomas Paine’s words rang out in his time, and they have echoed throughout American history. Independence for Colonies Many colonial leaders agreed with Paine. They thought that the colonies should be free. In June 1776 the Second Continental Congress created a committee to write a document declaring the colonies’ independence. A New Philosophy of Government The committee members were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Jefferson was the document’s main author. The Declaration of Independence formally announced the colonies’ break from Great Britain. In doing so, it expressed three main ideas. The first idea Jefferson argued was that all men possess unalienable rights. He stated that these basic rights include “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Jefferson used many of John Locke's Enlightenment ideas of natural rights. Jefferson’s next argument was that King George III had violated the colonists’ rights by passing unfair laws and interfering with colonial governments. Jefferson accused the king of taxing colonists without their consent and he felt that the large British army in the colonies violated colonists’ rights. Third, Jefferson argued that the colonies had the right to break from Britain. He was influenced by the Enlightenment idea of the social contract, which states that governments and rulers must protect the rights of citizens. In exchange, the people agree to be governed. Jefferson said that because King George III had broken the social contract, the colonists should no longer obey him. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. This act broke all ties to the British Crown. The United States of America was born. Other Reactions to the Declaration Today we can see that the Declaration ignored many colonists. At least one delegate’s wife, Abigail Adams, tried to influence her husband to include women in the Declaration. Although many women were Patriots, the Declaration did not address their rights. Nor did the Declaration recognize the rights of enslaved African Americans. The Revolution raised questions about whether slavery should exist in a land that valued liberty. Some Patriot writers had compared living under British rule to living as slaves. The difference between the ideals of liberty and the practice of slavery was a subject of great disagreement among Americans. In July 1776 slavery was legal in all of the colonies. By the 1780s the New England colonies were taking steps to end slavery. Even so, the conflict over slavery continued long after the Revolutionary War had ended.
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1. Who is considered the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
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A. John Locke
- B.
B. Benjamin Franklin
- C.
C. Thomas Jefferson
- D.
D. John Hancock
Correct Answer
C. C. Thomas JeffersonExplanation
Thomas Jefferson is considered the main author of the Declaration of Independence because he was the one who drafted the document. Jefferson was a prominent figure during the American Revolution and was chosen by the Continental Congress to write the Declaration. His eloquent writing style and his strong beliefs in individual rights and liberty made him the ideal candidate for this task. Jefferson's contributions to the Declaration of Independence are widely recognized and he is often credited as the primary author of this historic document.Rate this question:
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- 3.
2. Most of the ideas of basic rights and liberties came from the Enlightenment thinker
- A.
A. Baron de Montesquieu
- B.
B. John Locke
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C. Ignatius of Loyola
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D. Martin Luther
Correct Answer
B. B. John LockeExplanation
John Locke is the correct answer because he was a prominent Enlightenment thinker who greatly influenced the ideas of basic rights and liberties. He is known for his belief in natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that these rights are inherent to all individuals and cannot be taken away by any government or authority. His ideas laid the foundation for modern concepts of individual rights and limited government, making him a key figure in the development of basic rights and liberties.Rate this question:
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- 4.
3. The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to
- A.
A. come to a compromise with Britain
- B.
B. end the American Revolution
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C. offically break away from Britain
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D. to put an end to unfair taxation
Correct Answer
C. C. offically break away from BritainExplanation
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to officially break away from Britain. This document was a formal statement declaring the colonies' independence from British rule and asserting their right to govern themselves. It outlined the grievances against King George III and listed the reasons why the colonists believed they had the right to separate from Britain. The Declaration of Independence marked a significant turning point in the American Revolution and laid the foundation for the formation of the United States of America.Rate this question:
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- 5.
4. Thomas Paine urged the colonists to break away from Britain by writing a series of pamphlets called
- A.
A. Common Sense
- B.
B. Federalists Papers
- C.
C. the Great Compromises
- D.
D. Olive Branch Petitions
Correct Answer
A. A. Common SenseExplanation
Thomas Paine urged the colonists to break away from Britain by writing a series of pamphlets called "Common Sense". In these pamphlets, Paine argued for the idea of American independence and criticized the British monarchy. He presented logical arguments and persuasive language to convince the colonists that it was in their best interest to separate from Britain and form their own independent nation. Paine's writings had a significant impact on public opinion and helped to rally support for the American Revolution.Rate this question:
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- 6.
5. The Declaration of Independence did not acknowledge the basic rights of
- A.
A. women
- B.
B. African-Americans
- C.
C. b only
- D.
D. a and b
Correct Answer
D. D. a and bExplanation
The Declaration of Independence did not acknowledge the basic rights of women and African-Americans. At the time it was written, the document only applied to white men. Women and African-Americans were not considered equal citizens and were excluded from the rights and freedoms outlined in the Declaration. It was not until many years later that these groups fought for and gained recognition of their basic rights.Rate this question:
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