Question sheet for the declaration activity

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Question Sheet for the Declaration Activity

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5. Jefferson noted that “all men are created equal,” suggesting that this was “self-evident.” Speculate as to what he meant by that statement. What sorts of conflicts and misconceptions may have stemmed from this statement?

9. John Locke died in 1704, over 70 years before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. In your estimate, would Locke be happy with the way Jefferson used his Two Treatises to justify independence from Britain, which was Locke’s native country? Below, either write a fictitious letter from Locke to Jefferson critiquing his use of Two Treatises in the Declaration of Independence or a fictitious letter from Jefferson to Locke explaining how he adapted Locke’s theory in writing the Declaration.