READING CHECK || "Fight Over the Constitution"

Which answer choice accurately characterizes the Federalists' reaction to Shays' Rebellion?

• The rebellion led Federalists to believe the central government needed a bigger army so it could more easily handle protests.
• The rebellion led Federalists to believe other groups might also challenge the central government if it were not more powerful.
• The Federalists blamed the Articles of Confederation for giving farmers enough power to fight the government over taxes.
• The Federalists blamed the anti-Federalists for convincing farmers in Massachusetts that the government was corrupt.

How were many Americans exposed to the ideas of the Federalists?

• Their ideas were well known because Federalists had dominated government since the American Revolution.
• Their ideas gained favor because of celebrated national figures who spoke about the advantages of Federalism.
• Their ideas were shared through widely published articles and pamphlets that promoted their new political plan.
• Their ideas gained the attention of common people because they were unhappy with the current government.

What was the MOST important reason why Federalists wanted a new Constitution?

• to ensure the country could maintain its essential freedoms
• to provide a fair governing system that represented all Americans
• to secure the country against future invasions or rebellions
• to make sure individual rights would be protected

What was the MAIN reason why anti-Federalists did not like the new Constitution?

• They thought the Articles of Confederation was better.
• They worried it would be too much like having a king.
• They did not want to pay taxes to the government.
• They wanted new lawmakers in Congress.

Which section of the article introduces a point of view that supports a WEAKER ROLE for STATE powers?

• "Articles of Confederation"
• "Federalists"
• "Anti-Federalists"
• "The Future of the Nation"

Which sentence from the article BEST explains what Benjamin Franklin and George Washington supported?

• A national government is also called a federal government.
• Many leaders did not like the Articles of Confederation.
• They wanted a strong national government.
• They did not want to be ruled by a king again.

According to the article, which person and group MOST supported protection of individual rights?

• George Washington; anti-Federalists
• George Mason; anti-Federalists
• Benjamin Franklin; Federalists
• Patrick Henry; Federalists

Which statement would both Benjamin Franklin and George Mason be MOST likely to agree with?

• the government should have three branches
• the Constitution would be important to later generations
• common people should not have too much power
• Congress should be able to increase taxes

What is the author's MAIN purpose for including information about the British king?

• to explain where Americans got their ideas for a national government
• to show why Americans did not want a president with a lot of power
• to explain how America had gained freedom from British rule
• to show where a list called a bill of rights came from

Farmers tended to support what group?

• Anti-Federalist

• Federalist