Secrets of the Constitution

What was the original plan of the Framers of the Constitution?

• To write a new constitution

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To establish a strong federal government

• To abolish slavery

What was the main issue that almost destroyed the convention?

• Apportionment of members of Congress

• The inclusion of the Bill of Rights

• The power of the Supreme Court

• The debate over states' rights

What was the compromise reached regarding the apportionment of members of Congress? (Select Two)

• The House of Representatives would be apportioned based on state populations

• Each state would elect two senators

• The larger states would have more representatives

• Each state would have an equal number of representatives

What was one of the biggest points of contention during the convention?

• The power of the Supreme Court

• The debate over states' rights

• The inclusion of the Bill of Rights

• The issue of slavery

How were enslaved people counted for the purpose of representation?

• They were counted as half a person

• They were not counted

• They were counted as full persons

• They were counted as three-fifths of a person

Why did the Framers leave out the words slave and slavery from the Constitution?

• They wanted to avoid controversy

• They believed slavery was dying out

• They didn't think it was important

• They forgot to include them

What was the change made to the opening phrase of the Constitution's preamble?

• It included the words 'We the people of the states'

• It included the names of the Framers

• It listed all the states by name

• It included the words 'We the people of the United States'

When was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

• During the convention in 1787

• After the first Congress convened in 1789

• During the drafting of the original Constitution

• After the Civil War in the 1860s

What power did the Framers originally intend for the Supreme Court?

• The power to strike down any law or executive action

• The power to appoint judges

• The power to interpret the Constitution

• The power to veto legislation

How did the Supreme Court become the guardians of the Constitution?

• Through a Supreme Court case

• Through an amendment to the Constitution

• Through a decision by the Framers

• Through an act of Congress