U.S. Citizenship Civics TestPrinciples of American DemocracyMedium
A civics student is learning about the Declaration of Independence. The instructor asks, 'Which of the following is a key idea expressed in the Declaration of Independence regarding the source of rights?'
- ARights are determined by popular vote and majority rule.
- BRights are granted by the government and can be revoked.
- CRights are inherited from noble birth and social status.
- DRights are unalienable and come from the Creator.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Rights are unalienable and come from the Creator.
The Declaration of Independence asserts that individuals are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While popular vote is part of democracy, the Declaration establishes rights as fundamental and not subject to simple majority vote.
- B. The Declaration argues against government-granted, revocable rights.
- C. The Declaration emphasized equality and rights for all, not just the nobility.
Unalienable Rights
Rights that cannot be taken away or denied. The Declaration of Independence states these rights are inherent and come from a higher power (the Creator).
- Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
- Cannot be taken away
- Source is the Creator, not government
Memory trick: Rights are UN-TOUCHABLE, from ABOVE.