Constitutional Convention Quiz

Shay's Rebellion (1786) became a concern for many national leaders because it

• Showed a need for the federal government controlling trade

• Created a divide (disagreement) between the states

• Highlighted the weakness of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation

• Showed the American Colonists they were wrong to declare independence from Great Britain

The main reason for calling the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention of 1787 was to

• Weaken the system of checks and balances

• Increase the power of the states

• Settle a land dispute with Canada

• Strengthen the Central Government with a new constitution

The goal of the Preamble to the Constitution was to...

• Provide specific details about the constitution

• Weaken the central government

• Further strengthen the Articles of Confederation

• State the hopes and dreams of the authors of the new constitution

Which of the following is the result of the others?

• The Articles of Confederation show that they are not an effective form of government

• A Bill of Rights is added to the new constitution

• Anti-federalists argue that a strong central government could lead to tyranny and a violation of the rights of the people

• Federalists argue that a strong central government is necessary for the United States to be a successful nation

During the debate over ratification (acceptance) of the United States Constitution, Anti-federalists argued that a bill of rights should be added to

• Protect the interests of the federal government

• List the responsibilities of the citizens of the United States

• Make sure the federal government was powerful enough

• Protect and preserve the individual rights of the people

Northern and Southern delegates argued over how slaves should be counted as population for representation and taxation purposes which resulted in

• The Great Compromise

• The federal government being located in the south

• The three-fifths compromise

• The Articles of confederation

The Great Compromise that was reached between large and small states resulted in

• Creation of a Unicameral (one house) legislature

• Permanent solution to counting enslaved people

• Equal rights for all citizens

• Creating a bicameral (two houses) legislature

At the Constitutional Convention, supporters of the Virginia Plan and supporters of the New Jersey plan differed over the method of

• Determining state representation in congress

• Selecting a president

• Adopting new amendments

• Adding new states to the Union

A central issue in the debate between Federalists and Antifederalists over the ratification of the United States Constitution was the

• The certain powers that are being given to the Judicial Branch

• Threats posed to the rights of the citizens by having a strong central government

• Role of the president in controlling the army

• Dangers of unrestricted commerce between the states

Sort the following into the 2 categories: Which were Federalist ideas and which were Anti-Federalist Ideas

Groups:

(a) Federalists

,

(b) Anti-Federalists

• Strong Central Government

• Bill of Rights unnecessary

• Was afraid the a large central government would lead to tyranny

• Power should be with the States

• Bill of Rights Necessary

• Wanted many representatives for more opinions

• Small group of wealthy people could govern the country