STAAR Constitution Review

In 1787 the United States was at a crossroads. Farmers in western Massachusetts had rebelled the year before over property taxes. The state struggled to end the rebellion. Events such as this one contributed to the decision to-

• sign the Treaty of Paris

• repeal the Intolerable Acts

• declare an embargo on imported goods

• restructure the federal government

Which of the following correctly describes the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• A portion of the slave population was counted for legislative representation.

• A federal law enforcing the return of fugitive slaves was passed.

• The census bureau was established to help apportion representation.

• The election of senators was delegated to state legislatures.

Which of the following should replace the question mark in this diagram?

• Direct democracy

• Great Compromise

• Checks and balances

• Missouri Compromise

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

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

• 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 crises.

Patrick Henry an Anti-Federalist, 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

"No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land."

-Magna Carta, 1215

Which political idea was influenced by this provision of the Magna Carta?

• Federalism

• Due process

• A bicameral legislature

• The social contract

With which of the following arguments would the authors of the Federalist Papers most likely have agreed?

• A bill of rights should be included in the Constitution before it is ratified.

• Having a stronger central government will make the country more stable and prosperous.

• The Three-Fifths Compromise will result in fair and equal representation.

• Universal suffrage should be constitutionally guaranteed.

Why was it difficult for Congress to fulfill its duties under the Articles of Confederation?

• Any congressional action required executive approval.

• Congress lacked the power to declare war.

• Most congressional decisions required the approval of at least nine states.

• Congress lacked the power to regulate foreign trade.

When creating the legislative branch there were two proposed plans.  Which plan wanted states to have more votes based on population? 

• Connecticut Plan 
• New Jersey Plan
• Virginia Plan
• 3/5th's Plan 

The Constitutional Convention was convened to...

• write the Treaty of Paris.
• get all the signers of the Declaration together to celebrate.
• decide who would fight Daniel Shay.
• improve the Articles of Confederation.