Creating the Constitution

In the period after independence, what did Congress fear about a strong central government?

• states would have too much power

• rights for which people fought would be lost

• another war would occur between Great Britain and America

• laws would be passed to prevent people from colonizing new territories

One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress could not

• declare war.

• impose taxes.

• set up a postal system.

• create an army and navy.

What was the long-term effect of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

• Territories eventually became states.

• The farmers of Massachusetts rebelled.

• George Washington was elected president.

• Slavery was expanded in the United States.

What land was affected by the Land Ordinance of 1785?

• land north and south of the colonies

• land of the 13 original colonies

• land bound by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes

• land between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains

Why is Shays’ Rebellion an important event in U.S. history?

• It was the beginning of a civil war.

• It led to the Constitutional Convention.

• It showed the strength of the Massachusetts militia.

• It highlighted government power under the Articles.

What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention in May 1787?

• to write the U.S. Constitution

• to weaken states' rights under the Articles

• to revise the Articles of Confederation

• to give Congress the right to impose taxes

Why is James Madison known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

• He wrote the first draft of the Constitution.

• He knew more about government than anyone else present.

• He was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

• He was well prepared to lead the discussion at the convention.

Which of these was the greatest challenge for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

• how to respond to the interests of foreign countries

• how to address the concerns of farmers and ranchers

• how to balance the interests of large and small states

• how to get agreement between the eastern and western states

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed to establish a republic. Which of these describes a republic?

• a country led by a president

• a government led by a powerful few

• a parliamentary form of government

• a country led by elected representatives

Which of these did both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans include?

• an end to slavery

• an elected president

• two houses of Congress

• three branches of government