Compromises at the Constitutional Convention

What issue caused the first great controversy during the Constitutional Convention?

• executive power

• how much power to give to the military

• representation in Congress

• judicial power

Which of the following was NOT part of James Madison’s Virginia Plan?

• Two houses of Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate

• the states would no longer be able to ignore laws passed by Congress

• A strong national government

• equal representation in both houses of Congress

Answer explanation

What did the smaller states fear would happen under proportional representation?

• the larger states would dominate the smaller states

• the larger states would be dominated by the smaller states

• the president would become a tyrant

• a zombie apocalypse

Which of the following parts of the New Jersey Plan was a departure from (difference) the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress would be one house.

• Congress was given the power to tax and regulate commerce.

• Each state would have an equal vote in Congress.

• all of the above

How did the Great Compromise solve the problem of representation?

• Congress would have two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives

• The House of Representatives would be based on proportional representation

• Each state would get 2 senators, regardless of population

• all of the above

Answer explanation

Why was there a conflict over slavery at the Constitutional Convention?

• Southern delegates were determined to protect slavery at all costs.

• Northern delegates were determined to protect slavery at all costs.

• Northern delegates believed that each state should decide for itself whether to make slavery legal.

• The Framers who opposed slavery thought banning slavery was more important than creating a new constitution that united the states.

Answer explanation

Which of the following describes the three fifths clause/compromise?

• If ⅗ of the states wanted to abolish slavery, it would be abolished in the rest of the country as well

• ⅗ of slaves would offered a chance to return to Africa while the others would remain

• In deciding how many representatives a state should send to the Senate, the number would be determined by counting free persons, indentured servants, and ⅗ of slaves.

• In deciding how many representatives a state should send to the House of Representatives, the number would be determined by counting free persons, indentured servants, and ⅗ of slaves.

Answer explanation

Which of the following would have happened if there had been no compromises on slavery, such as the three-fifths clause?

• Several northern states would have refused to support the Constitution.

• a zombie apocalypse

• The Constitution would have had strong support from all parts of the nation.

• Delegates from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia would not have supported the Constitution.

Answer explanation