Question

Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. Then answer the question that follows:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Based on the excerpt, why do you think the Founding Fathers supported the idea of a limited government?
A) They believed that it was the government's duty to fulfill the people's wishes.
B) They wanted people to follow government laws and policies without conflicts.
C) They felt that a limited government would reduce public revolutions and uprisings.
D) They hoped to win foreign approval by following the limited government model.

Answer 1

The Founding Fathers supported a limited government because they held that its role was to protect the people's inherent rights – such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness – and to fulfill the people's wishes. They were inspired by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, who endorsed the concept of natural rights and government by consent.

Thus, the correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Founding Fathers supported the idea of a limited government because they believed that governments should exist to secure the unalienable rights of the people such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

This concept is clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence, where it says that governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Hence, the correct answer to the question is A) They believed that it was the government's duty to fulfill the people's wishes.

The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by Enlightenment principles and the work of John Locke, who advocated for natural rights theory. The idea was that a government's legitimacy comes from the consent of those it governs, rather than through force or inherited power.

The excerpt from the Declaration of Independence reflects this belief and suggests that the purpose of government is not to control or dictate the lives of the people but rather to protect their inalienable rights and liberties.