U.S. Constitution

Open Ended

Why is the U.S. Constitution considered a significant document in American history?

Open Ended

What were some of the main grievances that led the American colonists to seek independence from England?

Multiple Choice

What was the main reason for calling the Constitutional Convention in May 1787?

• To discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation

• To declare independence from Britain

• To elect a new president

• To create a national court system

Open Ended

Explain how the Articles of Confederation limited the power of the national government.

Multiple Select

Which of the following were effects of changes in the states after the Articles of Confederation?

• Increased political participation among the middle class

• Decreased economic power of farmers

• Spread of ideas of equality and democracy

• Concentration of power among wealthy merchants

Open Ended

Discuss the impact of economic turmoil and Shays’ Rebellion on the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following individuals did NOT attend the Constitutional Convention because he was in Paris?

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the typical background of the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention?

• Wealthy planters and merchants with college education and political experience

• Farmers from rural areas with little education

• Laborers from all 13 states

• Foreign diplomats and royalty

Multiple Select

Which of the following issues were addressed at the Philadelphia Convention according to the summary table?

• Equality of the states

• Slavery

• Political equality

• Religious freedom

Multiple Choice

According to the Preamble, what is one of the purposes for establishing the Constitution?

• To establish justice

• To increase taxes

• To expand territory

• To create a monarchy

Open Ended

Explain the main goals stated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution and why they were important for the new nation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the main difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?

• The Virginia Plan favored representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan favored equal representation for all states.

• The Virginia Plan called for a single house legislature, while the New Jersey Plan called for two houses.

• The Virginia Plan gave more power to the states, while the New Jersey Plan gave more power to the national government.

• The Virginia Plan was supported by small states, while the New Jersey Plan was supported by large states.

Open Ended

Summarize the main powers granted to the National Legislature under the Virginia Plan as described in the slides.

Multiple Select

Which of the following were elements of the Madisonian Model proposed to prevent tyranny of the majority?

• Limiting Majority Control

• Separating Powers

• Creating Checks and Balances

• Establishing a Federal System

Open Ended

How does the system of checks and balances, as shown in the diagram, help prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Multiple Choice

What was the Great Compromise, and how did it resolve the debate between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?

• It created a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

• It established a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one house with equal representation for each state.

• It gave all legislative power to the states.

• It abolished the federal system in favor of a confederation.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a power granted to Congress by the Constitution according to Table 2.4?

• Levy taxes

• Establish state governments

• Appoint the President

• Regulate local school systems

Open Ended

Explain how the Madisonian Model aimed to prevent rapid changes in government and why this was important to the framers of the Constitution.

Multiple Select

Which of the following characteristics describe Anti-Federalists according to Table 2.5?

• Preferred strong state government

• Preferred indirect election of officials

• Were often small farmers, shopkeepers, or laborers

• Expected few violations of individual liberties

Multiple Choice

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights protects the right to bear arms?

• First Amendment

• Second Amendment

• Fourth Amendment

• Tenth Amendment

Open Ended

Discuss the reasons why some people supported the ratification of the Constitution while others opposed it.

Multiple Choice

What are the first 10 Amendments called?

• The Constitution
• Bill of Rights
• Magna Carta
• Petition of Rights

Multiple Choice

Which amendment gives you the right to keep weapons or arms?

• First Amendment
• Second Amendment
• Third Amendment
• Fourth Amendment

Multiple Choice

The ___________ are for the ratification (approval) of the U.S Constitution.

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

• Whiggs

• Representatives

Multiple Choice

Anti-Federalists were in favor of:

• States Rights and the protection of individual rights.

• A strong Central Government.

• A Monarchy (King & Queen) to rule over the country.

• a powerful National Government

Multiple Choice

Which amendment gives you the right of Religion, Assembly, Speech, and Press?

• First Amendment
• Second Amendment
• Third Amendment
• Fourth Amendment

Multiple Choice

• F

• G

• H

• J

Multiple Choice

One of the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence [1776]: "For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury"

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights directly addresses [and fixes] this grievance?

• First Amendment

• Third Amendment

• Fourth Amendment

• Sixth Amendment

Multiple Choice

* unreasonable searches and seizures are illegal

* search warrants may not be issued without probable cause

* the place to be searched or person to be seized must be described in the warrant

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights provides the protections on this list?

• First Amendment

• Second Amendment

• Fourth Amendment

• Tenth Amendment

Multiple Choice

In the Third Amendment, the word quartering means which of the following?

• cutting

• blocking

• housing

• measuring

Multiple Choice

The Eighth Amendment protects a person from excessive fines and -

• cruel and unusual punishments

• spending the night in jail

• having to pay income taxes

• serving on jury duty

Multiple Choice

Which group would have made these arguments in 1787?

• Free-Soilers
• Anti-Federalists
• Loyalists
• Federalists

Multiple Choice

Those who agreed with this point of view were known as — Bills of rights . . . are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous.

• Minutemen

• Loyalists

• Federalists

• Patriots

Multiple Choice

The passage below was written by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist #84.

According to the passage, why did Hamilton believe a Bill of Rights did not need to be added to the proposed new U.S. Constitution?

• It was not safe to make the Constitution any longer or difficult to read by adding a Bill of Rights.

• The protections in a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution would only favor states over individuals.

• A Bill of Rights would upset the careful balance of separation of powers established in the Constitution.

• The Constitution granted no authority to do the things a Bill of Rights would be meant to protect against.

Open Ended

How did the actions of the English Crown contribute to the colonists' desire for independence and the eventual creation of the U.S. Constitution?

Multiple Select

What are some key events or concepts related to the creation of the U.S. Constitution?

• Constitutional Convention

• The Writers

• The Debate

• Ratification