Constitutional Convention

Where and when did the Constitutional Convention take place?

• Boston 1775

• Paris 1783

• Philadelphia 1787

• New York City, 1664

What best describes James Madison's Virginia Plan? It became the foundation for a new plan of government.

• A plan of government with 13 powerful state governments held together by a weak national Congress.

• A plan for a strong national government with three branches - legislative, executive and judicial.

• A plan for a King and a Parliament to share government power.

• A plan to end slavery and create a capital for the American nation in the state of Virginia.

The Great Compromise settled a key argument at the Constitutional Convention. About what issue were delegates from large & small states arguing?

• The system to elect the President of the United States.

• State representation in the Legislative Branch (Congress).

• The addition of a Bill of Rights to the new Constitution.

• The powers of a Supreme Court.

At the Convention, what settled arguments between Northern & Southern delegates about counting slaves for representation in the House of Representatives?

• the Three-Fifths Compromise

• the Electoral College

• the Great Compromise

• the Bill of Rights

Which branch of government is described in Article II of the Constitution? Led by the President, this branch includes 15 departments. It enforces federal laws, conducts foreign policy & controls the military.

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• This question actually describes all three branches of our national government.

Which branch of government is described in Article I of the Constitution? It's made up of the Senate & the House of Representatives. This branch makes America's laws, confirms Presidential appointments & holds the power of impeachment.

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• This question actually describes all three branches of our national government.

Which branch of government is described in Article III of the Constitution? Led by the Supreme Court, this branch evaluates America's laws & has the power to declare laws to be unconstitutional.

• Legislative Branch

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• This question actually describes all three branches of our national government.

Who was the primary author of the Virginia Plan? He studied successful governments from the history of the world to carefully develop a foundation for an American plan of government.

How did the Great Compromise settle arguments about the Legislative Branch at the Constitutional Convention?

• Every state would get the same total number of representatives in all of Congress.

• Representation in the House of Representatives would be equal.

• In the Senate, state representation would be proportional to population.

• A Senate with equal representation & a House of Representatives with proportional representation.

The Constitution includes special powers that each branch uses to limit, or control, the other branches. What is the name for this important concept in our Constitution?