EXAMINING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Read the Declaration of Independence found in the U.S. Government Reference Guide.
Pay close attention to the divisions of the Declaration into its three basic parts: the Preamble,
the grievances, and the conclusion. Then, answer the following questions.
The Preamble
1) The Preamble explains the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. What is the purpose
of this document?

2) What is the last line of the Preamble?

3) Why did Jefferson choose to begin the Declaration with the words “The unanimous Declaration
of the 13 United States of America”?

4) How does Thomas Jefferson use John Locke’s social contract ideas in the Preamble of the
Declaration? Provide two examples.

1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
   5) According to Jefferson, what is the purpose of government?

6) What should be man’s response whenever government becomes “destructive of the ends for
which it was created”?

The Grievances
7) How many grievances does Jefferson list as the foundation for his case for independence?

8) How does Jefferson say the colonists have responded to these grievances? Give two
responses.

1. ___________________________________________________________________

1. ___________________________________________________________________

The Conclusion
9) In the final paragraph, the Declaration makes a formal pronouncement of independence
from Great Britain as well as of the rights to which an independent nation is entitled. List five
rights that all free nations should enjoy.

1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________