Consent of the Governed
D2.Civ.3.3-5
Read the founding document, answer its questions, then circle the best answers.
The Declaration of Independence
From the Declaration of Independence, adopted July 4, 1776, when thirteen American colonies broke away from the king of Great Britain. These are its exact words. The word help was written for this worksheet. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government… Word help: unalienable = cannot be taken away. instituted = set up. consent = agreement. the governed = the people a government rules.
- 1. What does the Declaration say about how all men are created?
- 2. Where do governments get their just powers, according to this source?
- 3. What is the Right of the People when a government becomes destructive of these rights?
- A.The people agree to be governed
- B.The king decides alone
- C.Only soldiers choose the laws
- A.The President picks them
- B.They inherit it from a parent
- C.Voters in the city elect them
- A.So leaders can avoid voters
- B.So people can share their views with the leaders they chose
- C.So the plans stay secret
- A.We the People
- B.Four score and seven years ago
- C.I pledge allegiance
- A.Break the law
- B.Hide from the police
- C.Vote, write to leaders or speak at a public meeting
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