The U.S. Constitution

What was one of the most significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress did not have the ability to make laws.

• The President was unable to choose his Cabinet.

• Congress was unable to raise money with taxes.

• There was a requirement of a simple majority to make decisions.

The diagram below provides details about the United States just after achieving its independence from Britain in the American Revolutionary War. Which sentence completes the diagram?

• Great Britain threatens the United States with war.

• Anti-Federalists oppose ratification of the Constitution.

• Many Americans demand a revision of the Articles of Confederation.

• The United States Supreme Court overrules the Articles of Confederation.

The timeline shows the sequence of events that led to the Constitutional Convention. Which conclusion can be drawn from the timeline?

• The new government was unable to negotiate peace with Britain.

• Americans realized that their first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was not strong enough.

• Shays' Rebellion had no influence on the decision to strengthen the national government.

• Most Americans believed that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was to strong.

The passage below is from the Federalist No. 47, written by James Madison in 1788. Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe?

• separation of powers

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

• judicial review

In the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, what is the meaning of the phrase “We the People”?

• The people express their will through political parties.

• The people express their will by directly creating laws.

• Government receives taxes from the people and exists to support them.

• Government receives its power from the people and exists to serve them.

What issue was solved with the Great Compromise in the Constitutional Convention?

• It chose the location of the new nation’s capital.

• It decided how states would be represented in the federal Congress of the U.S.

• It decided how slaves would be counted for population and taxation.

• It listed the length of each term for the president and of congressional members.

Which group supported the Constitution and believed that a strong national government was needed for the country to be strong?

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution should protect basic rights.

• Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution should limit state government.

• Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution should create a strong national government.

• Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians.

The Anti-Federalists finally agreed to sign the Constitution, but only if there was a _____ added that would protect citizens from a too-powerful government.

• Federalists Papers

• Anti-Federalists Papers

• Bill of Rights

• Amendments

What two ideas of the U.S. Constitution are carried out by the three branches of government?

• Majority rule and minority rights

• Limited government and rule of law

• Separation of powers and checks & balances

• Authority from the people and consent of the governed