Chapter 5: Forming a Government

Which document is characterized by these statements? 

• Articles of Confederation
• Northwest Ordinance
• Federalist Papers
• United States Constitution

Delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise as a way to

• limit the power of the president
• provide legal rights for women
• settle differences over representation in Congress
• establish term lengths for senators

During the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Antifederalists disagreed mainly over the

• wisdom of maintaining friendship with England
• need for the continuation of slavery
• election of George Washington as the first president
• division of power between the national government and the states

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 wrote a new constitution because

• the Revolutionary War was over
• the Articles of Confederation were about to expire
• they wanted to increase the power of the states
• they believed that a stronger central government was necessary

The Constitution of the United States was considered an improvement over the Articles of Confederation because the Constitution changed the 

• status of slavery
• civil rights of minorities
• number of Americans eligible to vote
• balance of power between national and state governments

To win support for ratification of the United States Constitution, Federalists agreed to

• give up western land claims
• restrict the importation of slaves
• add a bill of rights to the document
• grant voting rights to all adult white males

The Great Compromise resolved the debate over state representation in the federal government by

• creating a bicameral legislature made up of the Senate (2 members from each state) and the House of Representatives (based on population)
• creating a unicameral legislature.
• deciding individually on the number of delegates each state would have.
• deciding that each state would have the same number of delegates.

What group wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

• Antifederalists
• Federalists
• Patriots
• Loyalists

Which type of document usually describes the basic structure, functions, and powers of a government?

• constitution
• proclamation
• resolution
• treaty

The Bill of Rights is the document

• added to the Constitution to protect citizens’ rights.
• used to limit the powers of state governments.
• outlining the rights of the federal government.
• stating the ways in which citizens can participate in government.