The Bill of Rights and the Constitutional Convention

Who wrote an essay entitled 'Vices of the Political System'?

• James Madison

• George Mason

• Thomas Jefferson

• Alexander Hamilton

What was one of the main problems with the Articles of Confederation according to James Madison?

• Tyrannical majorities in the states passing unjust laws

• Lack of separation of powers

• Weak central government

• Violation of individual liberties

What did James Madison draft to address the flaws of the Articles of Confederation?

• The Virginia Plan

• The Bill of Rights

• The Federalist Papers

• The Constitution

What constitutional principles did James Madison advocate for at the Constitutional Convention?

• Separation of powers, checks and balances, bicameralism, and federalism

• Limited government, religious freedom, and trial by jury

• Majority rule, individual rights, and state sovereignty

• Executive power, judicial review, and popular sovereignty

What did George Mason propose at the Constitutional Convention?

• A bill of rights

• A stronger central government

• The Virginia Plan

• The Articles of Confederation

Why did the Constitutional Convention unanimously reject George Mason's proposal?

• They were wrapping up their business and didn't want to prolong the debate

• They believed the states already had their own bills of rights

• They worried it would be a repeat of the Articles of Confederation

• They feared it would endanger the success of their project

Who opposed the idea of a bill of rights in the Constitution?

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

Why did Alexander Hamilton warn against a bill of rights in Federalist Paper No. 84?

• It could be dangerous and subject to misinterpretation

• It would leave out important rights and endanger them

• The Constitution itself already served as a bill of rights

• It would give too much power to the states

What did Madison promise during his campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives?

• To support a bill of rights

• To oppose a bill of rights

• To limit the powers of the national government

• To call for a second constitutional convention

How many amendments were in Madison's original list?

• 19

• 12

• 10

• 8