Lesson 8: Creating the Constitution

Why was Congress afraid of creating a strong national government after the American Revolution?

• it would give too much power to the states

• it would lead to a second war for America

• people could lose the rights that they just fought for

• laws would limit westward expansion

Under the Articles of Confederation, which power did Congress NOT have?

• declaring war

• imposing taxes

• setting up a postal system

• creating an army and navy

What process was established with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

• how territories eventually become states

• how slavery will spread in the United States

• how women will get the right to vote

• how to handle rebellious farmers in Massachusetts

Where would I find the land affected by the Land Ordinance of 1785?

• north of the colonies in Canada

• in the 13 original colonies

• between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes

• between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains

Which event proved that the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that a new Constitution was needed in the United States?

• Battle of Yorktown

• Nat Turner's Rebellion

• War of 1812

• Shays' Rebellion

When the Constitutional Convention began in May 1787, why did the delegates believe they were meeting?

• to revise the Articles of Confederation

• to end Shays Rebellion in Massachusetts

• to write the U.S. Constitution

• to sign the Treaty of Paris

Who became known as the "Father of the Constitution" because he was so well-prepared at the Constitutional Convention?

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

What was a major challenge for the 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

• balancing the interests of large and small states

• repaying France for their help during the American Revolution

• creating states in the Northwest Territory

• addressing concerns of farmers and merchants

Which of these describes a republic?

• a country led by a monarch

• a government led by the richest men

• a government with a parliament

• a country led by elected representatives

Which of these was in both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans of government representation?

• an elected president

• three branches of government

• two houses of Congress

• representation based on population of each state