Which of the following principles is stated in the Declaration of Independence?
a. People have the right to free speech
b. Governments are appointed by god
c. British taxes were too high***
d. governments must be representative of the people
The correct answer is option d. "Governments must be representative of the people."
To find the answer to this question, you can take the following steps:
1. Understand the context: The Declaration of Independence is a document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in which the thirteen American colonies declared themselves independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
2. Look for the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence outlines the colonies' grievances against the British government and asserts the fundamental principles upon which the new nation would be built.
3. Analyze each option:
- Option a. "People have the right to free speech" is an important principle, but it is not specifically mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.
- Option b. "Governments are appointed by god" is not a principle explicitly stated in the Declaration of Independence.
- Option c. "British taxes were too high" refers to the specific issue of taxation, but it is not a broad principle stated in the document.
- Option d. "Governments must be representative of the people" is a central principle highlighted in the Declaration of Independence. The document asserts that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that they are set up to secure the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is option d.