Constitutional Convention

What was one major reason delegates wanted to change the Articles of Confederation?

• The federal government was too weak to enforce laws.

• They wanted to increase the power of the monarchy.

• The Constitution had already been written.

Why was George Washington chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention?

• He was the wealthiest delegate.

• He had experience as a military leader and was widely respected.

• He was the only delegate from Virginia.

• He wrote the Declaration of Independence.

What was James Madison’s key contribution to the Constitutional Convention?

• He proposed a monarchy as the best form of government.

• He authored the Virginia Plan, which influenced the structure of government.

• He argued for keeping the Articles of Confederation as they were.

One of the biggest debates at the convention was about representation. What was the disagreement?

• Whether large states and small states should have equal representation in Congress.

• Whether states should be allowed to print their own money.

How did the Great Compromise resolve the dispute between large and small states?

• It gave all power to the executive branch.

• It established a two-house Congress, with representation based on population in one and equal representation in the other.

• It required all states to have the same number of representatives regardless of size.

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a solution to what issue?

• Whether the U.S. should become a monarchy.

• How enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation.

• Whether states should have the power to declare war.

• Whether Congress should have the ability to collect taxes.

Why did some delegates, like George Mason, refuse to sign the Constitution?

• They believed it gave too much power to the states.

• They thought it needed a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

• They wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation instead.

What was Alexander Hamilton’s main position at the Convention?

• He wanted a very weak national government with more power given to the states.

• He supported a strong central government with a powerful executive.

• He believed in maintaining the Articles of Confederation without changes.

• He wanted the government to be run only by the wealthiest citizens.

Why did the delegates hold the Constitutional Convention in secret?

• They wanted to make sure they could debate freely without outside pressure.

• The Articles of Confederation made it illegal to meet.

• They were planning a military coup.

Match the key terms to their definitions.

• A two-house law-making body

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• A group that makes laws

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• To vote to make a law official

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• The first national government of the U.S.

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• An agreement where both sides give up something

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