5 Questions
Who drafted the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence signed?
July 4, 1776
What was the main reason for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence?
To protest against heavy taxation by Britain
What event prompted the Declaration of Independence?
The Boston Tea Party of 1773
Which Enlightenment thinker influenced the ideas in the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke
Study Notes
- In 1776 during the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the delegates.
- The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 13 original colonies of the United States.
- The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence because they were no longer under British rule and wanted to establish a new nation.
- The Declaration of Independence was a response to increasing tensions between the colonies and Britain, including the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Boston Tea Party of 1773.
- The delegates signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Continental Congress was held.
- The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, but the formal adoption did not take place until August 2, 1776.
- The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are created equal and have certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- The document also justifies the separation from Great Britain by listing grievances against the British monarchy and Parliament.
- The Declaration of Independence was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of John Locke, who argued for natural rights and the role of government to protect those rights.
- The Declaration of Independence also reflects the social contract theory, which holds that people form a social compact to establish a government and surrender some individual freedoms for the common good.
- The Declaration of Independence was a significant step towards American independence and the establishment of a democratic government.
Test your knowledge about the adoption, drafting, and significance of the Declaration of Independence during the Continental Congress in 1776.
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