Forming a New Nation

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 colonizing new territories

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

• declare war.

• impose taxes.

• set up a postal system.

• create an army and navy.

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

• Territories eventually become states.

• The farmers of Massachusetts rebelled.

• George Washington was elected president.

• Slavery was expanded in the United States.

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

• He wrote the first draft of the Constitution.

• He knew more about government than anyone else present.

• He was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

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

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

• how to respond to the interest of foreign countries

• how to address the concerns of farmers and ranchers

• how to balance the interests of large and small states

• 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 a president

• a government led by powerful few

• a parliamentary form of government

• a country led by elected representatives

What did the Great Compromise decide?

• representation in Congress

• the names of political parties

• the system of checks and balances

• process of selecting the president

What was the greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution?

• a taxation would be eliminated

• selection of George Washington as president

• replacement of the Articles of Confederation

• giving up state power to form a stronger Union

Which of these describes a federal system of government?

• Government is run by one political party.

• A single leader makes all of the government decisions.

• Individual states have power over the national government.

• Power is shared by the national and state governemnts.

Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words "We, the people"?

• to record that all the citizens wrote the Constitution

• to state that government power comes from the people

• to declare that the people were separating from Great Britain

• to provide an introduction that would interest readers