IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
Paragraph 1
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Paragraph 2
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, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
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Multiple Choice Question
What is Jefferson's main purpose in including this sentence in the middle of paragraph two?
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
A.
Jefferson confirms the colonists' right to abolish the government.
B.
Jefferson argues the colonists have suffered long enough under the king's rule.
C.
Jefferson places the right to establish a new government in the context of natural laws.
D
.
Jefferson agrees that most people would continue to suffer rather than abolish their government.
1 answer
The correct answer is D. Jefferson agrees that most people would continue to suffer rather than abolish their government.
In this part of the paragraph, Jefferson acknowledges that historically, people tend to endure hardships rather than disrupt their accustomed government unless the situation becomes intolerable. This statement helps to frame the idea that the colonists have been patient and suffered under the king's rule, but implies that there comes a point when change is necessary.
