Creating the Constitution

opponents of the Constitution

• Federalists
• Anti-federalists

supporters of the Constitution

• Federalists
• Anti-Federalists

What was the name of the first constitution of the United States?

• the American Constitution
• the Articles of Confederation
• the Legislative Documents
• the Legislative Articles

Which of the following describes the main purpose of The Federalist Papers?

• to describe the process by which states would ratify the Constitution
• to explain how the Constitution worked and why it was needed
• to argue that the Constitution failed to protect basic rights 
• to tell people where they could have access to the Constitution

A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress

• could not declare war.
• had no power to impose taxes.
• was unable to raise armies.
• did not have the authority to sign treaties.

News of Shay's Rebellion and unrest elsewhere convinced the Congress to

• send federal troops to states where the government was abusing its power
• call a convention of the states to revise the Articles of Confederation
• call a convention of states to revise the Constitution
• pass laws to provide relief for poor farmers who were losing their farms

Why were smaller states concerned about the Virginia Plan?

• state representation was based solely on population
• larger states were allowed to annex smaller ones
• the legislative branch was divided into two houses
• election of senators was by popular vote

Delegates at the Constitutional Convention had to balance states' rights with

• poor farmers' worries about taxes
• a system to limit the power of the government
• the need for a stronger national government
• Southern planters' reliance on slavery

How did the Congress of the first national government raise money?

• through the sale of state goods
• through federal income taxes
• through the sale of western land
• through trade tariffs

In what city did the Constitutional Convention meet?

• Philadelphia
• Boston
• New York
• Trenton