U.S. Citizenship Civics TestColonial Period and IndependenceHard
The concept of 'unalienable rights' — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — is famously articulated in which American document?
- AThe Bill of Rights
- BThe Declaration of Independence
- CThe U.S. Constitution
- DThe Articles of Confederation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, famously states, '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.'
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The Bill of Rights lists specific individual freedoms and protections against government overreach, but it does not contain the 'unalienable rights' phrase as a philosophical foundation.
- C. The U.S. Constitution establishes the framework of government and includes protections, but the specific phrase 'unalienable rights' (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) is not in its main text.
- D. The Articles of Confederation focused on state sovereignty and a weak central government, not on philosophical declarations of individual rights.
Unalienable Rights
Fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, which cannot be legitimately taken away or denied by any government. As articulated in the Declaration of Independence, these include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- Expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
- Cannot be given or taken away.
- Include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Memory trick: Declare your rights: Life, Liberty, and pursuit of delight!