Quiz on the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

What were the Articles of Confederation?

• A newsletter for the American colonies

• The first constitution of the United States

• A set of British laws to tax the colonies

• An almanac written by Benjamin Franklin

The Articles of Confederation were the nation’s first constitution, but they had to be replaced by the Constitution of the United States. What was the major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• France did not accept the independence of the United States

• The state governments were too weak

• Great Britain still could make laws for the colonies

• The federal government was too weak

Who was called the Father of the Constitution?

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• John Adams

Delegates decided to allow the states with slaves to count their free population plus three-fifths of their slave population. This was called the _____.

• Great Compromise

• Three-Fifths Compromise

• Articles of Confederation

• House of Representatives

The idea that government should share power with the states is called _____.

• Constitution

• Federal System

• Articles of Confederation

• Delegates

What document replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1788?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The U.S. Constitution

• The Emancipation Proclamation

• Common Sense by Thomas Paine

He planned the Constitutional Convention and took detailed notes of all the debates.

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• John Adams

• James Madison

Which of the following statements best describes the Constitution of the United States?

• A document declaring the independence of the United States from Britain

• A statement that people recite when saluting the flag

• A plan that includes the laws for governing the United States

• A peace agreement with other countries such as France and Germany

He was elected president of the Constitutional Convention. He came out of retirement to attend the meeting.

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• John Adams

• James Madison

What was the name of the meeting where delegates met to write a new constitution?

• Great Compromise

• Constitutional Convention

• Articles of Confederation

• Meeting of the Minds