Exploring Convention in BrainPOP

The video explores the US Constitution, highlighting its role as a living document. It begins with the issues of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the Constitutional Convention where debates on government structure and representation were held. The Great Compromise resolved these debates, including the contentious issue of slavery. The video concludes by explaining how the Constitution adapts through amendments, ensuring its relevance over time.

Why is the US Constitution often referred to as a 'living document'?

• Because it is written on paper that ages over time.

• Because it can be amended and interpreted in different ways over time.

• Because it was written by living people.

• Because it is stored in a living museum.

What was the main issue with the Articles of Confederation?

• It was written in a language that was hard to understand.

• It gave too much power to the national government.

• It did not allow states to have their own governments.

• It established a weak national congress with limited powers.

What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• The Boston Tea Party.

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence.

• Shay's Rebellion.

• The War of 1812.

Who set the tone for the Philadelphia Convention with a bold plan?

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

• Alexander Hamilton

• George Washington

What did the Virginia Plan propose?

• A weak national government.

• A government composed of legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

• No changes to the Articles of Confederation.

• A single house legislature.

What was the main difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?

• The New Jersey Plan proposed a single branch of government.

• The Virginia Plan kept the Articles of Confederation intact.

• The New Jersey Plan called for a monarchy.

• The Virginia Plan called for proportional representation, while the New Jersey Plan did not.

What was the Great Compromise?

• A plan to end the Revolutionary War.

• A compromise on the issue of slavery.

• A compromise that gave each state two representatives in the Senate and proportional representation in the House.

• A plan to keep the Articles of Confederation.

Why did southern states want slaves to count toward their number of representatives?

• To reduce their taxes.

• To ensure slaves could vote.

• To increase their power in the House of Representatives.

• To end the slave trade.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• A compromise that counted three-fifths of the slave population for representation purposes.

• A compromise that established a new national currency.

• A compromise that allowed women to vote.

• A compromise that ended slavery.

What was the purpose of including a way to add amendments to the Constitution?

• To make the Constitution longer.

• To ensure the Constitution could never be changed.

• To allow the Constitution to adapt to changing times.

• To make the Constitution harder to change.