Declaration of Independence - Past Paper PDF

Who was Thomas Paine (1737-1809)? Why are his publications Common Sense, The Rights of Man, The Age of Reason influential? **He was an English born political philosopher and writer. His works played a significant role in the American Revolution. His writings were crucial in shaping public opinion o...

Who was Thomas Paine (1737-1809)? Why are his publications Common Sense, The Rights of Man, The Age of Reason influential? **He was an English born political philosopher and writer. His works played a significant role in the American Revolution. His writings were crucial in shaping public opinion on independence and democratic ideas.** 2. Is it true that T. Jefferson borrowed some accepted ideals of the Enlightenment from existing documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights and he incorporated them into the Declaration? True / False **TRUE.** **While Jefferson\'s work in the Declaration of Independence was masterful, it was rooted in these well-established Enlightenment principles and existing documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights, reflecting the intellectual currents of the time** 3\. T. Jefferson was not pleased when Congress mangled his composition by cutting and changing much of his carefully chosen words. He was especially sorry they removed the part blaming King **George III** for the slave trade, although he knew the time was not right to deal with the issue. 4\. The Declaration of Independence was ratified on the **July 4th 1776** 5.**John Dunlap** was the official printer to Congress working through the night to set the Declaration in type and print approximately 200 copies. These copies are known as **Dunlap Broadsides** were sent to various committees, assemblies and commanders of the Continental troops. They were not signed but the name of the president **Hancock** appeared in large type at the bottom. 6.**John Adams** was a leader in this process. He suggested to select T. Jefferson to write down the original draft of the document. 7. **Benjamin Franklin** is also one of America\'s most famous Founding Fathers. He was a wise and clever political leader, writer and printer, and a scientist who invented many things. He helped to write the Declaration of Independence, which he signed, and later the American Constitution. He proved that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm, and his inventions included the **Franklin** Stove. 8. The Declaration of Independence is the document which stated that the **13** British colonies in America were independent of Britain. It explains that these colonies feel as sovereign states, no longer under British rule. With the Declaration, these states took a collective first step toward forming the United States of America so the Declaration was signed by the representatives from: **New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut,New York,New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia ,North Carolina ,South Carolina and Georgia.** For further information see: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration/how-did-it-happen