Page 34 - JM Teacher's Guide

Worksheet 1 – Answers
introDuctory exercise
1. What is the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States of America. It announced to the world the unanimous decision of the 13 American colonies to separate from Great Britain, and it articulated the foundational principles on which America was created.
2. Why was it written? To clarify and justify the actions the 2nd Continental Congress took to declare the 13 American colonies free and independent from English government.
3. In what city was it written? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Who wrote it? Thomas Jefferson
5. Name the building where it was signed? Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall 6. On what date was it signed? August 2, 1776
7. What did the Second Continental Congress have to do with the Declaration of Independence? The Congress appointed a committee to write a declaration in the event the Virginia Resolution, that would free the colonies from British rule. was passed; it edited the draft of the Declaration provided by the Committee of Five; it ap- proved the wording and passed the edited Declaration of Independence; 56 members of Congress
signed the Declaration,
8. How many men signed the Declaration of Independence? 56
9. Name some of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence? See Biography of the Signers in the Appendix of Jefferson’s Masterpiece.
10. How many grievances against King George III were listed in the Declaration of Independence? 27
11. What are the “unalienable rights” mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness
12. Quote a phrase from the Declaration of Independence?
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