Question

read the excerpt from jefferson daviss inaugural address below.

our present political position has been achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history of nations: it illustrates the american idea that governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established.

in the excerpt, davis argues that

citizens have a right to change or destroy governments.
citizens should ask permission before starting a new government.
governments should be ruled by a small number of people.
governments should split when they face disagreement.

Explanation:

Analyze the historical text

Using the Jefferson Davis Inaugural Address and Secession Justification knowledge points, we examine the excerpt: "governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established." Davis uses this classical lockean argument to justify the secession of the Southern states.

Match with textual evidence

Using the Textual Evidence Analysis knowledge point, we compare the excerpt's key phrase "right of the people to alter or abolish them" to the given multiple-choice options:

• "alter" corresponds directly to "change".
• "abolish" corresponds directly to "destroy".

Therefore, Davis is arguing that citizens have a right to change or destroy governments when they no longer serve their purpose.

Evaluate the incorrect options

• "citizens should ask permission before starting a new government": The text states they can do so "at will," which contradicts needing permission.
• "governments should be ruled by a small number of people": The text emphasizes "consent of the governed," which is a democratic principle, not oligarchy.
• "governments should split when they face disagreement": While secession was a split, the specific argument in this excerpt is framed around the fundamental right to alter or abolish a destructive government, matching the first option most precisely.

Answer:

• (A) citizens have a right to change or destroy governments. (Correct answer)
• (B) citizens should ask permission before starting a new government.
• (C) governments should be ruled by a small number of people.
• (D) governments should split when they face disagreement.