Speech in the Convention UNIT

According to the Speech, what is Franklin’s overall opinion of the Constitution?

• He strongly disapproves of it

• He has some objections to it

• He considers it unimportant

• He completely approves of it

Why does Franklin believe that any constitution the Convention approves will be imperfect?

• human authors are imperfect; therefore, any Constitution they produce would also be imperfect

• the country is so new – they’re learning and growing, and things will eventually change

• There are still secretly members of the British army trying to sabotage America’s new government

• He thinks that it COULD be perfect but that it SHOULD be imperfect because he is imperfect

Why does Franklin want the delegates to keep their individual doubts and disagreements to themselves, once the Constitution is approved?

• He feels their opinions don’t matter

• He feels they shouldn’t have a say.  It’s up for the President to decide

• He doesn’t want their doubts to fill the American people with doubt

• To make an example of imperfection

Whose opinion does Franklin believe is key to a government’s strength and efficiency?

• The president

• The delegates

• The people

• Himself only

In his “Speech in the Convention”, which of these views of government does Franklin most clearly express?

• The government that governs least is best

• Good governments are created by trial and error

• Corrupt rulers breed disillusion and rebellion

• Any well-run government can benefit the people

According to Franklin, how will approving the constitution affect the country’s relationships with foreign nations?

• It’ll frustrate the hopes of nations unfriendly to the US

• It’ll show that the US is superior to other nations

• It’ll cause all other nations to be jealous of the US

• It’ll cause all other nations to see the US as a leader

What point does Franklin make most clearly in arguing that unanimity is an important part of the representatives’ acceptance?

• Unanimity shows that the government is strong and efficient

• Unanimity proves that America’s enemies have mistaken opinions

• Unanimity makes the work of government leaders more pleasant

• Unanimity speeds up the process of making decisions for the nation

In the beginning of his speech, what does Franklin admit that he sometimes doubts?

• The President

• Himself

• The people

• The delegates

Which word most nearly means

beneficial; promoting a positive purpose

• infallibility

• salutary

• integrity

• despotism

Which word most nearly means

inability to be in error

• infallibility

• despotism

• corrupted

• prejudices