Constitutional Era

This sequence of events resulted in the adoption of the

• Articles of Confederation

• Bill of Rights

• Treaty of Paris

• Declaration of Independence

What assurance did this argument give to those who opposed ratifying the Constitution?

• The amendment process would allow state governments to nullify federal law.

• Making the federal government superior to state governments would ensure greater stability

• The rights of citizens would be better protected by having both federal and state levels of government.

• Giving greater power to the federal government would allow it to assist states in times of crisis.

Which speaker is in favor of ratifying the Constitution?

• Speaker 1

• Speaker 2

• Speaker 3

• Speaker 4

In the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which point would have been made by a Federalist?

• "The existing national government lacks the ability to add new states to the union."

• "The states are in danger of losing the ability to raise revenue."

• "The existing national government lacks the power to perform essential functions."

• "The states are unable to protect the rights of the people."

Why did the anti-federalists demand that a bill of rights be added to the U.S. Constitution?

• To strengthen the authority of the federal government

• To improve the organization of the judiciary

• To give each state an equal amount of power

• To protect individual freedoms from the federal government

Patrick Henry opposed ratifying the U.S. Constitution because he believed that under it --

• the states would surrender too much power to the federal government

• alliances could not be formed with other countries

• the courts would not be able to hold government officials accountable

• individuals would exercise too much power over the federal government

Which of these is a grievance from the Declaration of Independence?

• Colonists born in America were prohibited from holding elected office.

• Colonists were forced to quarter troops in their homes.

• Colonists were not eligible to become officers in the British Army.

• Colonists were required to serve a year in their colony's militia.

Which excerpt from the Declaration of Independence best explains why colonists were unhappy about their lack of representation in the British parliament?

• "He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people."

• "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent"

• "He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good."

• "For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences."

This list includes rights that are considered -

• transferable

• legislated

• unalienable

• inherited

In this excerpt, the authors of the Virginia Declaration of Rights are describing rights they consider -

• granted to citizens by their government

• natural and possessed at birth

• protected under religious doctrine

• defined by the courts