Question

the declaration of independence states: \that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.\ these words describe the enlightened idea of:
a return to a society that has no central authority
b social contract between government and the people
c revolutionary intent to overthrow the current government
d need to ensure a representative government
question 42 (1 point)
during the enlightenment, a number of writers explored the relationship between governments and the people they governed. for example, rousseau wrote \the social contract\, in which he examined ideas about majority will and the common good.
how did these ideas influence the american and french revolutions?
a they supported movements for social and political change.
b they supported the efforts of governments to maintain control over their subjects.
c the encouraged the formation of american and french constitutional monarchies.
d they encouraged loyalty to established governments.

Explanation:

First Question (Declaration of Independence Quote)

• Option a: The quote doesn't suggest a return to a society without central authority (anarchy); it's about altering/abolishing a destructive government, not eliminating all authority. Eliminate a.
• Option b: The social contract theory (e.g., Rousseau, Locke) posits that government's legitimacy comes from the people's consent. If government fails its purpose (the "ends" like protecting rights), people can change it—this matches the quote's idea of the people's right to alter/abolish a destructive government. This fits the social contract.
• Option c: The quote is about the right to alter/abolish if government is destructive, not an inherent revolutionary intent to overthrow. It's conditional, not a general call to overthrow. Eliminate c.
• Option d: The quote focuses on the right to change a destructive government, not specifically ensuring representative government (though related, the core is the government - people contract). Eliminate d.

• Option a: Enlightenment ideas like social contract, popular sovereignty, and the common good inspired Americans and French to seek social and political change (e.g., American Revolution against British rule, French Revolution against the monarchy). These ideas supported movements for change.
• Option b: Enlightenment ideas challenged government control over subjects, advocating for people's rights and consent, so they didn't support governments maintaining control. Eliminate b.
• Option c: The American Revolution led to a republic, and the French Revolution initially aimed at overthrowing the monarchy (not establishing a constitutional monarchy as a primary outcome of Enlightenment influence here). Eliminate c.
• Option d: Enlightenment ideas questioned established governments' legitimacy if they didn't serve the people, so they didn't encourage loyalty to established governments. Eliminate d.

Answer:

b. social contract between government and the people

Second Question (Enlightenment Ideas and Revolutions)