Creating the Constitution

Following the American Revolution, what did Congress fear about a strong central government?

• states would have too much power

• rights for which people fought would be lost

• another war would occur between Great Britain and America

• laws would be passed to prevent people from settling in new territories

One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress could not

• impose taxes

• declare war

• set up a postal system

• create an army and navy

What was the long-term effect of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

• territories eventually became states

• the farmers of Massachusetts rebelled

• George Washington was elected president

• Slavery was expanded in the United States

What land was affected by the Land Ordinance of 1785?

• land bound by Ohio and Mississippi rivers and Great Lakes

• land north and south of the colonies

• land of the original 13 colonies

• land between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains

Why is Shays' Rebellion an important event in U.S. History?

• It led to the passage of a new Constitution.

• It was the beginning of a civil war.

• It showed the strength of the Massachusetts militia.

• It dramatized the power of the central government.

What was the original purpose of the convention in May 1787?

• to revise the Articles of Confederation

• to write the U.S. Constitution

• to end conflict in Massachusetts

• to rewrite the Declaration of Independence

Why is James Madison known as the "Father of the Constitution"?

• He was well prepared to lead the discussion at the convention

• he wrote the first draft of the Constitution

• He knew more about government than anyone else present

• He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention

Which of these was the greatest challenge for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

• how to balance the interests of large and small states

• how to respond to the interests of foreign countries

• how to address the concerns of farmers and ranchers

• how to get agreement between the eastern and western states

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed to establish a republic. Which of these describes a republic?

• a country led by elected representatives

• a country led by a president

• a government led by a powerful few

• a parliamentary form of government

Which of these did both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans include?

• three branches of government

• an end to slavery

• an elected president

• two houses of Congress