Constitution

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

George Mason refused to sign the Constitution and opposed its ratification because he believed that it

• did not adequately protect individuals from potential government abuse
• did not give the executive branch enough power to oversee the military
• prevented the legislative branch from effectively governing the states
• prevented the judicial branch from using judicial review to overturn acts of the legislature

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,

"The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states."
Which principle of government is the excerpt above an example of?

• federalism
• separation of powers
• popular sovereignty
• checks and balances

People who supported the ratification of the Constitution were called

• Federalists
• Loyalists
• Anti-Federalists
• Patriots

From which of the following documents does the idea of limited government originate from?

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
• Magna Carta
• Mayflower Compact
• Declaration of Independence

1. Congress passes a bill
2. President vetoes bill
3. Congress overrides presidential veto with a two-thirds vote
Which principle of government is the information above an example of?

• Federalism
• Republicanism
• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances

Why were southern delegates to the Constitutional Convention willing to accept the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• it increased the political influence of the South

• it allowed indentured servants in the South to become citizens

• it decreased the federal tax on property in the South

• it allowed the South to expand its industrial output

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

Speaker 1: A strong central government will provide order and stability.

Speaker 2: We have just left the control of one tyrant; let us avoid an American tyrant.

Speaker 3: The strength of our union lies in the independence of our states.

Speaker 4: We were led into a war by a minority who desired independence.

Which speaker is in favor of ratifying the Constitution?

• Speaker 1

• Speaker 2

• Speaker 3

• Speaker 4