Declaration of Independence MCQs [USA – America] January 8, 2026August 20, 2024 by u930973931_answers 50 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence? (A) John Adams (B) Benjamin Franklin (C) John Jay (D) Thomas Jefferson 2. On what date was the Declaration of Independence adopted? (A) July 2, 1776 (B) August 2, 1776 (C) July 4, 1776 (D) September 17, 1776 3. Which committee was responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence? (A) Committee of Nine (B) Committee of Seven (C) Committee of Twelve (D) Committee of Five 4. Which event led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence? (A) The Boston Tea Party (B) The Battle of Lexington and Concord (C) The signing of the Treaty of Paris (D) The Continental Congress 5. What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence? (A) To outline the structure of the new government (B) To declare the colonies' independence from Britain (C) To establish trade relations with France (D) To draft a new constitution 6. Which of the following was NOT a member of the Committee of Five? (A) Thomas Jefferson (B) Samuel Adams (C) Benjamin Franklin (D) John Adams 7. The Declaration of Independence was signed in which city? (A) New York (B) Washington, D.C. (C) Boston (D) Philadelphia 8. Which famous phrase begins the Declaration of Independence? (A) "We the People…" (B) "To secure these rights…" (C) "When in the Course of human events…" (D) "We hold these truths to be self-evident…" 9. What is the main subject of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence? (A) The grievances against the British Crown (B) The structure of the new government (C) The principles of individual rights (D) The history of the colonies 10. The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, including: (A) Property and security (B) Liberty and happiness (C) Freedom of speech and religion (D) Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness 11. What action did the Continental Congress take on July 2, 1776? (A) Approved the final draft of the Declaration (B) Declared war on Britain (C) Adopted the Declaration of Independence (D) Ratified the Articles of Confederation 12. Which of the following colonies was NOT one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence? (A) New Hampshire (B) Vermont (C) Rhode Island (D) Delaware 13. How many delegates signed the Declaration of Independence? (A) 50 (B) 72 (C) 13 (D) 56 14. Who was the president of the Continental Congress at the time the Declaration was signed? (A) John Hancock (B) John Adams (C) Benjamin Franklin (D) Thomas Jefferson 15. Which state was the first to declare independence from Britain? (A) Virginia (B) Massachusetts (C) New York (D) South Carolina 16. Which of the following is a main section of the Declaration of Independence? (A) The Preamble (B) The Bill of Rights (C) The Articles of Confederation (D) The Treaty of Paris 17. Which part of the Declaration of Independence lists the grievances against King George III? (A) The Introduction (B) The Preamble (C) The Body (D) The Conclusion 18. How did the Declaration of Independence affect the colonies’ relationship with Britain? (A) It improved diplomatic relations (B) It proposed a treaty (C) It declared them free and independent (D) It led to a ceasefire 19. The Declaration of Independence influenced which other country’s declaration of rights? (A) Mexico (B) Spain (C) Canada (D) France 20. Which document was primarily responsible for setting the stage for American independence? (A) The Federalist Papers (B) The Declaration of Independence (C) The Articles of Confederation (D) The Constitution 21. How many sections are in the Declaration of Independence? (A) 4 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 6 22. What does the Declaration of Independence state is the right of the people when a government becomes destructive? (A) To reform it (B) To seek redress (C) To negotiate (D) To overthrow it 23. What was one of the main criticisms of King George III in the Declaration of Independence? (A) Imposing taxes without consent (B) Interfering with trade regulations (C) All of the above (D) Dissolving colonial assemblies 24. Which of the following was NOT a grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence? (A) Imposing taxes without consent (B) Forbidding the colonies to trade with other nations (C) Cutting off trade with the rest of the world (D) Establishing a national bank 25. What did the Declaration of Independence say about the role of government? (A) It should be strong and centralized (B) It should be managed by the monarchy (C) It should be based on the consent of the governed (D) It should be established by a treaty 26. What does the Declaration of Independence suggest about the right to alter or abolish a government? (A) It is a right of the people if the government becomes destructive (B) It should only be done through legal channels (C) It is never justifiable (D) It should be done through negotiation with the government 27. Which of the following statements is NOT included in the Declaration of Independence? (A) All men are created equal (B) Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed (C) People have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (D) It is the duty of the people to support the government 28. What role did the Declaration of Independence play in the American Revolutionary War? (A) It inspired and justified the fight for independence (B) It served as a formal declaration of war (C) It ended the war (D) It provided the terms of surrender 29. Which Founding Father was known for his role in drafting the Declaration and later served as the third President of the United States? (A) George Washington (B) John Adams (C) James Madison (D) Thomas Jefferson 30. How did the Declaration of Independence address the issue of equality? (A) It asserted that all men are created equal (B) It stated that only property owners were equal (C) It did not address the issue of equality (D) It limited equality to white men 31. How many copies of the Declaration of Independence were originally printed? (A) 50 (B) 100 (C) 200 (D) 56 32. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence’s preamble? (A) To outline the structure of the new government (B) To provide a summary of the Articles of Confederation (C) To list grievances against King George III (D) To explain the reasons for the colonies' decision to separate from Britain 33. What is the term used for the period leading up to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence? (A) The Revolutionary Era (B) The Pre-Revolutionary Period (C) The Enlightenment Period (D) The Colonial Era 34. Which of the following colonies was the last to sign the Declaration of Independence? (A) Pennsylvania (B) Georgia (C) North Carolina (D) South Carolina 35. What is the Declaration of Independence’s stance on the right of the people to change their government? (A) The people have the right to change their government under certain conditions (B) The people should not change their government (C) The government should change based on popular opinion (D) The government should change only through elections 36. The Declaration of Independence reflects the influence of which philosophical movement? (A) Enlightenment (B) Rationalism (C) Romanticism (D) Realism 37. What did the signers of the Declaration of Independence pledge to each other? (A) Their wealth (B) Their loyalty to the British Crown (C) Their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor (D) Their commitment to the Continental Army 38. What did the Declaration of Independence say about the British Crown’s authority? (A) It was corrupt and oppressive (B) It was rightful and justified (C) It should be respected (D) It was benevolent 39. What significant effect did the Declaration of Independence have on other nations? (A) It prompted other countries to establish monarchies (B) It inspired movements for democracy and independence around the world (C) It had no significant effect (D) It encouraged countries to remain colonies 40. In what way did the Declaration of Independence address the concept of government? (A) It advocated for a monarchy (B) It called for a democracy (C) It expressed that government should be based on the will of the people (D) It stated that government is a necessary evil 41. Which section of the Declaration of Independence lists the natural rights of individuals? (A) The Introduction (B) The Grievances (C) The Conclusion (D) The Preamble 42. The Declaration of Independence emphasized the importance of which principle? (A) Individual liberty (B) Religious freedom (C) Economic stability (D) Military strength 43. The Declaration of Independence asserts that the power of the government is derived from: (A) The monarchy (B) The military (C) The divine right (D) The consent of the governed 44. Which key phrase in the Declaration of Independence expresses the idea that governments should be changed if they are destructive? (A) "We the People…" (B) "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…" (C) "It is the right of the People…" (D) "When in the Course of human events…" 45. Which of the following does NOT describe the impact of the Declaration of Independence? (A) It served as a rallying point for the revolutionaries (B) It led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution (C) It created an immediate peace treaty with Britain (D) It inspired global independence movements 46. What role did Thomas Jefferson play in the Declaration of Independence? (A) He wrote the first draft (B) He was the president at the time of its signing (C) He helped to sign it (D) He was a vocal opponent 47. Which phrase in the Declaration of Independence indicates the belief that the government should protect individual rights? (A) "To secure these rights…" (B) "All men are created equal…" (C) "When in the Course of human events…" (D) "We hold these truths to be self-evident…" 48. The Declaration of Independence claims that people have the right to change their government when: (A) They are unhappy with their leaders (B) It becomes abusive (C) They find a better system (D) They seek a different ideology 49. What is one major theme found in the Declaration of Independence? (A) The necessity of a strong military (B) The importance of economic prosperity (C) The right to self-determination and freedom (D) The value of historical traditions 50. The Declaration of Independence is considered a foundational document for which of the following? (A) American Civil Rights Movement (B) The United Nations (C) Modern democracy and human rights (D) The American Constitution