what are 10 questions you would ask thomas jefferson regarding declaration of independence? ?
imagine his answers as well.

answer:

explanation:

. jefferson chose to begin the declaration with the words, “the unanimous

declaration of the thirteen united states of america.” do you feel this was

necessary? why or why not? could the 13 colonies have declared independence

if they were not unanimous? why or why not?

answers will vary. most students might note that it was necessary for jefferson to prove

that the continental congress presented a united front to the world in order to prove that

independence was the true goal of the colonies. others may state that since each state

provided signers to the document, it was obvious that all thirteen colonies accepted it.

as to the question of whether the 13 colonies could have declared independence if they

weren’t unanimous, answers will vary. most students might state that independence

would be difficult without the support of all thirteen colonies, but some might say

independence without consensus was still possible. for instance, colonies that objected

could be absorbed into canada or find a way to peacefully co-exist with those that

seceded.

2. how does jefferson explain the reason for a formal declaration of independence?

why do you think it was necessary for jefferson to state the “causes which impel

them to the separation”?

answers will vary. however, some students may note that other nations, such as france

and the netherlands, also had colonial interests in north america and may have been

concerned if british colonists declared independence for groundless reasons. also,

because of jefferson’s background as a lawyer, it might have also been true that he was

building his case for independence before the world community, similar to what he might

do if he were pleading a case before a jury.

3. next, review the two sections of john locke’s two treatises of government. in

your own words, how does jefferson use locke’s ideas in the preamble of the

declaration?

students will note similarities between locke’s thoughts on natural rights and jefferson’s

mention of “inalienable rights, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

they may also note jefferson’s view that “all men are created equal.”

4. according to jefferson, what was the purpose of government? what does

jefferson suggest should happen whenever government becomes “destructive of

the ends for which it was created? ” according to jefferson, how do governments

derive their powers?

jefferson would note that the purpose of government was to protect the “inalienable

rights” that man received from “their creator.” in his view, if government became

2

“destructive,” it was the right of the citizens to “alter or abolish” that form of government

and replace it with a better one. jefferson believed that governments derived their power

“from the consent of the governed.” in other words, the citizens of the nation permitted

the government to rule.

answer: why even bother when there was going to be another war.

explanation: