Declaration of Independence Overview

Preamble

• Outlines the rationale for the separation from British rule.
• Sets the tone for the Declaration by emphasizing the importance of the action taken.

Declaration of Natural Rights

• Asserts the role of government in safeguarding citizens' rights.
• Defines unalienable rights, asserting that these cannot be taken away by the government.
• Highlights the principles of republican governance, emphasizing individual liberty and the social contract.

List of Grievances

• Catalogs 28 specific complaints the colonists had against King George III.
• Serves to justify the break from England by illustrating the perceived injustices faced by the colonies.
• Examples include taxation without representation and interference with colonial self-governance.

Resolution of Independence

• Formally declares the colonies as "free and independent states."
• Acts as a conclusion and affirmance of the decision to separate from British authority.
• Contains the signatures of the signatories, symbolizing unity and commitment to the cause.

This quiz explores the key sections of the Declaration of Independence, including the Preamble, Declaration of Natural Rights, List of Grievances, and Resolution of Independence. Test your understanding of the colonists' justification for separation from British rule and the principles of governance expressed within the document.