Final Review: Bill of Rights and Constitution

What was the greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution?

• taxation would be eliminated

• selection of George Washington as president

• replacement of the Articles of Confederation

• giving up state power to form a stronger Union

Answer explanation

The greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution was that it would require giving up state power to form a stronger Union, which they feared would undermine their autonomy and local governance.

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 supreme government power under the Articles.

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion was a significant uprising that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the Constitutional Convention where a stronger federal government was created to address such issues.

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 had a pivotal role in its creation and ratification.

Answer explanation

James Madison is known as the 'Father of the Constitution' because he had a pivotal role in its creation and ratification, contributing significantly to the debates and the drafting process during the Constitutional Convention.

How is the Constitution organized?

• into parts called articles

• into sentences called sections

• into columns called delegations

• into paragraphs called statements

Answer explanation

The Constitution is organized into parts called articles, which outline the structure and functions of the government. This is the correct choice, as the other options do not accurately describe the Constitution's organization.

An amendment to the Constitution can be ratified by three-fourths of the

• Senate.

• citizens.

• state legislatures.

• Supreme Court justices.

Answer explanation

An amendment to the Constitution can be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, as specified in Article V of the Constitution. This means that the correct answer is state legislatures.

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

Answer explanation

A republic is defined as a country led by elected representatives, which aligns with the delegates' decision at the Constitutional Convention to establish a government accountable to the people.

One purpose of the Bill of Rights is to

• determine the election process.

• limit the power of the federal government.

• rewrite the Constitution.

• outline the responsibilities of Congress.

Answer explanation

One purpose of the Bill of Rights is to limit the power of the federal government by protecting individual liberties and ensuring that the government cannot infringe upon these rights.

What did the Great Compromise decide?

• representation in Congress

• the names of political parties

• the system of checks and balances

• process of selecting the president

Answer explanation

The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, balancing representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate, thus deciding how states would be represented in Congress.

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 occur between Great Britain and America

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

Answer explanation

After independence, Congress feared that a strong central government could infringe on the rights for which people fought, leading to a loss of individual freedoms and liberties that were hard-won during the struggle for independence.

All of these are advantages to having states share a common market except that

• it creates a single national economy.

• trade outside of the country is prohibited.

• a large business can be located in several states.

• goods and resources can move more easily across the country.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'trade outside of the country is prohibited' because sharing a common market typically encourages trade, not restricts it. The other options highlight benefits of a unified market.