Declaration of Independence Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who appointed the committee of men to write the Declaration of Independence?

Second Continental Congress

Name the five men who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman

Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To explain to foreign nations why the colonies had chosen to separate themselves from Great Britain Signup and view all the answers

Which state chose not to vote on accepting the Declaration of Independence?

New York Signup and view all the answers

How many parts does the Declaration of Independence have?

4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the first part of the Declaration of Independence?

Preamble Signup and view all the answers

What does the second part of the Declaration of Independence list?

The rights of all the people Signup and view all the answers

What does the preamble tell?

Why it was written Signup and view all the answers

Name the three rights that all people should have.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Signup and view all the answers

Against whom was the third and longest part of the Declaration of Independence complaining?

The king and parliament Signup and view all the answers

What do the fourth part of the Declaration state about the 13 colonies?

They are free and independent states Signup and view all the answers

These two signers of the Declaration of Independence later became president.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Signup and view all the answers

How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?

56 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Figures

The Second Continental Congress was responsible for appointing the committee that authored the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were the five key figures involved in writing the document.

Drafting the Declaration

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author, responsible for the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Purpose of the Document

The main purpose was to articulate to foreign nations the reasons behind the colonies' decision to separate from Great Britain.

Voting and Acceptance

New York abstained from voting on the acceptance of the Declaration of Independence.

Structure of the Document

The Declaration consists of four distinct parts.

Parts Breakdown

The preamble serves as the introductory section.
The second part enumerates the rights of all individuals.
The third part details grievances against the king and Parliament, making it the longest section.
The fourth part declares the thirteen colonies as free and independent states.

Fundamental Rights

The Declaration famously identifies "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" as the essential rights that all individuals should possess.

Signatories

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, signers of the Declaration, both later held the office of President of the United States.
A total of fifty-six individuals signed the Declaration of Independence.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Declaration of Independence with these flashcards. Learn about key figures, events, and contributions related to this historic document. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike.