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Understanding Jefferson's Role in the Declaration of Independence

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet provides reading comprehension activities focused on Thomas Jefferson's contribution to the Declaration of Independence. It aims to assess students' understanding of the document's significance and Jefferson's role.

Topics covered:

#Explain Jefferson's influence on the Declaration of Independence
#Compare different perspectives on Jefferson's contribution
#History
#Jefferson
#Analyse the key ideas expressed in the Declaration
#Declaration of Independence
#Standard
#Reading Comprehension

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Understanding Jefferson's Role in the Declaration of Independence

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

Source: Excerpt from Jefferson's Draft of the Declaration

'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.' Provenance: Draft written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, as part of the Declaration of Independence.

1.
Explain what Jefferson means by 'unalienable Rights' in the excerpt. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare Jefferson's ideas about government with those of earlier political thinkers. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Outline the main ideas expressed in the excerpt from Jefferson’s draft. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Analyse the significance of Jefferson’s wording in the phrase 'We hold these truths to be self-evident.' (5 marks)
[5 marks]
5.
Compare Jefferson’s draft with the final version of the Declaration. What was changed or removed? (4 marks)
[4 marks]
6.
Write a brief explanation of Jefferson’s importance in the American Revolution. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
7.
Analyse how Jefferson’s ideas in the Declaration reflect Enlightenment principles. (5 marks)
[5 marks]
8.
Summarize the key reasons why Jefferson and the other colonies decided to declare independence from Britain. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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