History of Representation and Republican Government

What is the main idea behind the American Founders' understanding of a republic?

• A state where the people hold supreme power and designate representatives to carry out their will.

• A state where the government holds supreme power and the people follow its rules.

• A state where only the wealthy have the power to make decisions.

• A state where the king has the ultimate authority.

Which event led to the American colonies declaring their independence in 1776?

• The imposition of the Stamp Act by Parliament.

• The election of a new king in Britain.

• The signing of the Articles of Confederation.

• The introduction of the Virginia Plan.

What was the purpose of the Virginia Plan introduced at the Constitutional Convention?

• To create a powerful national government with a bicameral legislature.

• To maintain the existing confederation of sovereign states.

• To ensure equal representation of states in a unicameral legislature.

• To count enslaved persons fully for representation purposes.

What was the outcome of the debate on how enslaved persons would be counted for representation?

• Three-fifths of the enslaved individuals would be counted.

• All enslaved individuals would be counted.

• None of the enslaved individuals would be counted.

• Enslaved individuals would be counted only for taxation purposes.

What was the Anti-Federalists' main concern about the new central government?

• It would be too large and distant to represent the people's concerns.

• It would be too small to handle national issues.

• It would be too democratic and responsive to the people's whims.

• It would be too focused on state rights over national unity.

According to the Federalists, what was the role of the Senate in the new government?

• To represent the long-term interests of the states.

• To represent the immediate local interests of the people.

• To act as a direct mirror of the people's opinions.

• To serve as the primary legislative body.

What was James Madison's view on representation as expressed in Federalist No. 10?

• Representation should refine and enlarge public views through a chosen body of citizens.

• Representation should directly mirror the people's interests and opinions.

• Representation should be limited to the wealthy and educated.

• Representation should focus solely on state interests.

William Paterson [New Jersey] introduced the Small State, or New Jersey Plan, which?

• provided for equal representation of the states in a unicameral legislature—in essence just tweaking the Articles of Confederation to revise and strengthen the existing system.

• included a bicameral legislature in which the lower house was elected by the people of each state and the upper house was elected by the members of the lower house.

• proportional representation based on population in the lower House and equal representation in the Senate.