Who mostly authored the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What notion is the Declaration of Independence founded on?
People should rule instead of being ruled
What concept does the Declaration emphasize regarding government?
The consent of the governed
What rights are people endowed with according to the Declaration?
Certain unalienable rights
What happened to the 13 colonies as a result of the Declaration?
They became free and independent states
What was unique about the political system of the colonies?
No political system had ever broken away from its ruling country
What years did most states adopt written constitutions?
1776-1777
What were used to draft and adopt the new constitutions?
Assemblies or conventions in each state
What is popular sovereignty?
Government can only exercise powers given through the will of the people
What is a common feature of state constitutions?
Limited government
What document protects civil rights and liberties?
Bill of Rights
What does separation of powers entail?
Each branch has a set of powers only it can exercise
What are checks and balances?
Ways for one branch to limit the others
What is the source of governmental authority according to the Declaration?
The people
What does the Preamble explain?
Why the Declaration was written
What does the Declaration of Natural Rights list?
The basic rights to which all people are entitled
What does unalienable mean?
Unable to be taken away
Where does the government get its power?
From the people
What right do people have if the government does not protect their rights?
The right to overthrow that government and create a new one
Who did King George III choose to rule as?
A tyrant instead of ruling on behalf of the people
What did the people refuse to give up according to the grievances?
Their right to representation
What did the king do that put the people at risk?
Dissolved legislatures
What did the king force colonists to do?
House soldiers
