When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the
earth a position
different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions
of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights:
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the govemed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance
to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience
hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute
despotism, it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the
women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entided.
The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an
absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted a candid world.
2
Select the correct answer.
The tone of this passage can be described as
A . lamenting
B.
assured.
C.
disillusioned.
D.
ffensive
