Understanding the Declaration of Independence
This worksheet guides students in analyzing the Declaration of Independence, focusing on Jefferson's reasons for independence, human rights, colonial grievances. It encourages evidence-based responses, critical thinking about government and justice.
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C o m p r e h e n s i o n & A n a l y s i s Q u e s t i o n s - D e c l a r a t i o n
o f I n d e p e n d e n c e
Answer the following questions. Use text evidence and original commentary to support your responses.
Your answers should be in complete sentences.
C o m p r e h e n s i o n ( 2 p o i n t s e a c h }
2. Reading check:
a. What does Jefferson state directly as the reason this declaration had to be written?
Jefferson states that the reason this declaration had to be written wasto proclaim the
colonists' independence. He states that all men are created equal, are given the same
rights in life, and just powers should be from the consent of the governed.
b. According to Jefferson, what is a people's duty when their government is abusive? They
have the right to throw the government and make a new one that provides safety.
c. What new relationship between Great Britain and the United States is announced in this
document?
They are completely separated and no longer in compliance with one another.
3. Strategy: Evaluate Details:
a. What situation do the details contained in paragraphs 24 through 30 of the Decla ratlon
of Independence describe?
The tyranny of the British monarch towards the colonies.
b. What is one key idea you can derive from these?
That the British were being really unfair and cruel to America and had the separation not
happened, could have led to the downfall of the United States.
A n a l y s i s ( 2 p o i n t s e a c h }
4. Make Inferences: Why does Jefferson begin with points about human rights before discussing
the details of the colonists' grievances?
Jefferson wants to show us what expected human rights citizens should be granted by the king
and how a big deal i t is.
5.
a. Evaluate: According to the details Jefferson lists, what has been the king's attitude
toward the laws of the colonies?
He has teen contemptuous; he has ignored co onists' efforts to make their own laws. He
is also callous in that he reveals no concern for the colonists.
o f I n d e p e n d e n c e
Answer the following questions. Use text evidence and original commentary to support your responses.
Your answers should be in complete sentences.
C o m p r e h e n s i o n ( 2 p o i n t s e a c h }
2. Reading check:
a. What does Jefferson state directly as the reason this declaration had to be written?
Jefferson states that the reason this declaration had to be written wasto proclaim the
colonists' independence. He states that all men are created equal, are given the same
rights in life, and just powers should be from the consent of the governed.
b. According to Jefferson, what is a people's duty when their government is abusive? They
have the right to throw the government and make a new one that provides safety.
c. What new relationship between Great Britain and the United States is announced in this
document?
They are completely separated and no longer in compliance with one another.
3. Strategy: Evaluate Details:
a. What situation do the details contained in paragraphs 24 through 30 of the Decla ratlon
of Independence describe?
The tyranny of the British monarch towards the colonies.
b. What is one key idea you can derive from these?
That the British were being really unfair and cruel to America and had the separation not
happened, could have led to the downfall of the United States.
A n a l y s i s ( 2 p o i n t s e a c h }
4. Make Inferences: Why does Jefferson begin with points about human rights before discussing
the details of the colonists' grievances?
Jefferson wants to show us what expected human rights citizens should be granted by the king
and how a big deal i t is.
5.
a. Evaluate: According to the details Jefferson lists, what has been the king's attitude
toward the laws of the colonies?
He has teen contemptuous; he has ignored co onists' efforts to make their own laws. He
is also callous in that he reveals no concern for the colonists.
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Subject
History