Principles and Concepts in the Declaration of Independence Quiz

Test your knowledge of political philosophy with questions on authorship, principles, and historical context of the Declaration of Independence.

#1

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
#2

Which year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

1774
1775
1776
1777
#3

What principle is central to the Declaration of Independence?

Freedom of Speech
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Right to Bear Arms
Right to a Fair Trial
#4

Which philosopher's ideas influenced the concept of natural rights in the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke
Karl Marx
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes
#5

Which section of the Declaration of Independence outlines a list of grievances against the British monarchy?

Preamble
Conclusion
Bill of Rights
Middle Section
#6

Who was the king of Great Britain during the American Revolution when the Declaration of Independence was adopted?

King George I
King George II
King George III
King James II
#7

In the Declaration of Independence, what term is used to describe the unalienable rights that include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?

Inherent Rights
Sovereign Rights
Natural Rights
Constitutional Rights
#8

Which document provided the legal basis for the United States' break from Great Britain and was formally adopted on July 4, 1776?

Common Sense
The Articles of Confederation
The Treaty of Paris
The Declaration of Independence
#9

Which of the following rights is NOT explicitly mentioned in the list of grievances against the British monarchy in the Declaration of Independence?

Right to free speech
Quartering of troops
Impartial jury trial
Taxation without representation
#10

What action does the Declaration of Independence declare as the right of the people when a government becomes destructive?

Revolution
Resignation
Appeal to International Courts
Protest
#11

Which document served as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence and was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1775?

Mayflower Compact
Articles of Confederation
Olive Branch Petition
Common Sense
#12

The phrase 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal' reflects the influence of which Enlightenment idea?

Social Contract
Divine Right of Kings
Separation of Powers
Natural Rights
#13

Which Continental Congress committee was responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence?

Committee of Correspondence
Committee of Five
Committee of Safety
Committee of the Whole
#14

What does the Declaration of Independence claim is the purpose of government?

To enforce laws
To protect natural rights
To promote economic growth
To establish a monarchy
#15

Which Enlightenment thinker's idea of the separation of powers influenced the structure of the U.S. government as outlined in the Declaration of Independence?

Montesquieu
Voltaire
Rousseau
Hobbes
#16

What is the significance of the phrase 'all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved' in the Declaration of Independence?

Declaration of war
Establishment of trade relations
Declaration of independence
Formation of alliances

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