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The introduction is also significant because Jefferson insisted on theimportance of explaining the rebellious actions of the 13 colonies to thenations and statesmen of the world. The most powerful nations of the world inthe 18th century were monarchies.
In honor of Independence Day, the editors at The Dallas Morning News put together a quiz on the Declaration of Independence. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of our country's founding document. (SOURCES: About.com, FunTrivia.com, ConstitutionFacts.com, QuizMoz.com, Dallas Morning News research). Declaration of Independence Preamble Natural Rights History of Repeated Injuries Oppressive Legislation Petitions for Redress Declaration of Independence Signers. Philadelphia July 4, 1776. The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America.
The ideas of Jefferson could serve not onlyto threaten Great Britain's colonial empire, but the colonial empires of othernations in Europe. Recognizing the importance of maintaining good diplomaticrelations with European nations, Jefferson sought to explain the actions of the13 colonies in rational terms.
Anticipating that this document would influencerebellions elsewhere, Jefferson clarified that governments should not beoverthrown for trivial causes. Instead, Jefferson explained that only'despotic' or totalitarian governments should be overthrown.