Part 1: Vocabulary in Context

Use the word bank to complete each sentence. Then use the words as you analyze the sources.

Word Bank: natural rights    consent    limited government    popular sovereignty

Part 2: Read and Analyze the Sources

Source A: Declaration of Independence, 1776

Line 1: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Line 2: “They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”

Line 3: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.”

Line 4: “Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Source B: Constitution of the United States, Preamble, 1787

Line 5: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...”

Line 6: “...establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence...”

Line 7: “...promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty...”

Line 8: “...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Part 3: Constructed Response and Teacher Answer Key

Teacher Answer Key

1. Natural rights

2. Limited government

3. Consent

4. Popular sovereignty

5. B. People possess rights, and legitimate government depends on the governed.

6. Acceptable evidence includes Source A, Line 2, which identifies unalienable rights, or Line 4, which states that government gets its just powers from the consent of the governed. Students should explain that government exists to protect rights and must have the people’s approval.

7. Source B explains that the people establish a government to create justice, peace, security, and liberty. Acceptable evidence includes Line 5, “We the People,” or Lines 6–8, which describe the purposes of the government created by the Constitution.

8. Source A explains why government is created: to protect natural rights and operate with the consent of the people. Source B describes how the people establish a government and lists its purposes, including justice, security, general welfare, and liberty. Together, the sources connect the people’s rights and authority to the structure and purposes of government.

9. Strong responses should explain that popular sovereignty means government power comes from the people. Source A states that governments derive their just powers from the “consent of the governed” in Line 4. Source B begins with “We the People” in Line 5, showing that the people establish the government. Responses may explain limited government as government being created for specific purposes, such as securing rights and liberty, rather than having unlimited power. Relevant evidence includes Source A, Lines 2–3, and Source B, Lines 6–8.

Standards Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1: cite specific textual evidence; RH.9-10.2: determine central ideas; RH.9-10.4: determine the meaning of words and phrases in context. Aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Grade 9 Social Studies.