1. Who was the Enlightenment philosopher whose concepts of natural rights and the social contract greatly influenced American colonists?
- A. Thomas Hobbes
- B. Baron de Montesquieu
- C. John Locke
- D. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
2. According to John Locke's idea of a social contract, for what primary purpose do people agree to form governments?
- A. To ensure the monarch remains powerful
- B. To conquer neighboring territories
- C. To protect their natural rights
- D. To enforce a single state religion
3. John Locke argued that if a government becomes destructive and fails to protect its citizens' natural rights, the people have the right to do what?
- A. Appeal to a higher international court
- B. Wait for the next scheduled election cycle
- C. Request financial compensation from the king
- D. Alter or abolish that government
4. Which set of rights did John Locke specifically identify as "Natural Rights" that are inherent to all people?
- A. Freedom of speech, press, and religion
- B. The right to a jury trial, counsel, and due process
- C. Life, liberty, and property
- D. The pursuit of happiness, education, and employment
5. The concept of a "Social Contract" is best described as an agreement between which two parties?
- A. A king and a neighboring king
- B. A merchant and a customer
- C. The people and the government they create
- D. A colony and its mother country over trade
6. Which of the following concepts did Thomas Paine directly attack in "Common Sense" as an absurd and illegitimate form of rule?
- A. Hereditary Monarchy
- B. Direct Democracy
- C. A Republic
- D. Parliamentary System
7. What geographical argument did Thomas Paine use in "Common Sense" to support the case for American independence?
- A. That the American colonies were too spread out to be governed effectively.
- B. That it was illogical for a small island to rule a vast continent across an ocean.
- C. That Britain was too far away to protect the colonies from French or Spanish attacks.
- D. That the climates of America and Britain were too different for one to rule the other.
8. In early 1776, the general mood among many American colonists could be described as hesitant and fearful about a complete break from Britain. Which pamphlet was instrumental in changing this public mood toward independence?
- A. The Federalist Papers
- B. The Articles of Confederation
- C. Common Sense
- D. The Olive Branch Petition
9. Who was the author of the influential 1776 pamphlet that argued it was absurd for an island to rule a continent and attacked the idea of hereditary monarchy?
- A. Thomas Jefferson
- B. Benjamin Franklin
- C. John Adams
- D. Thomas Paine
10. What was the primary goal of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" when it was published in early 1776?
- A. To propose a detailed plan for a new American government and constitution.
- B. To persuade undecided American colonists to support the cause of complete independence from Britain.
- C. To argue for a peaceful reconciliation with King George III and the British Parliament.
- D. To recruit soldiers for the Continental Army by describing British atrocities.