The Declaration of Independence

“Declaration of Independence” Analysis

Answer the following completely and clearly on notebook paper.  Use your own words to explain your understanding of Jefferson’s ideas.  Only quote from the document when asked to do so.  Use quotation marks to indicate that you are quoting from the document. 

Skip lines between answers. Use textbook pages 122 – 125 and your notes.

     1.       In the first paragraph, what does Jefferson mean by the phrase “Powers of the earth”?

     2.       In the second paragraph, whom does Jefferson say has given men their “unalienable Rights”?

     3.       Explain the meaning of the term unalienable.

     4.       List three of the unalienable rights that Jefferson mentions in this document.

     5.       According to Jefferson, why do people create governments?

     6.       From where do governments get their power?

     7.       What two choices do people have when their government fails to do the job it was created to do?

     8.       Quote a phrase from the second paragraph that indicates what kind of new government people should create after abolishing their old one.

     9.       Eighteen paragraphs begin with the word he.  Who is “he”?

10.       In the last sentence of the Declaration, the signers state that they are relying on the protection of whom?

11.       The signers realize that signing the Declaration is dangerous for them.  Quote the three things they promise to sacrifice if needed for this cause.