Source Analysis: the Declaration of Independence (via IXL)

Question

Read the passage from the Declaration of Independence. Then follow the instructions below.

"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 . . ."

self-evident: obviously true

endowed: given

unalienable: permanent

Question
For centuries, people have argued about exactly what these lines mean. Below are some possible meanings for each part of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

Match each part of the preamble with its possible meaning.

Example:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident..." <-- --> We believe these things to be clearly true.

(3 points)

Answer 1

Here are the matches for each part of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence with their possible meanings:

1. "all men are created equal" <-- --> All people are fundamentally the same in worth and rights.

2. "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights" <-- --> These rights are given by a higher power and cannot be taken away.

3. "that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" <-- --> These are some of the basic rights that everyone should have.

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