The Creation of the American Constitution

In 1787, the United States, still in its infancy, faced numerous challenges. To address these, the Confederation Congress called for a Convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Despite initial reluctance and the absence of some states, a quorum was eventually achieved. The delegates, all white male property owners, met in secrecy to encourage open debate. Over three months, they decided to replace the Articles with a new Constitution, a risky move that changed the course of history. Although not all delegates endorsed the new document, it was eventually adopted, and today, the Convention is celebrated for its vision and wisdom.

What year did the Revolutionary War end?

• 1781

• 1783

• 1787

• 1790

Why did the Confederation Congress call for a Convention in 1787?

• To draft a new Constitution

• To elect a new president

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To declare independence

Which state did not send any delegates to the Convention?

• New York

• Virginia

• Rhode Island

• Pennsylvania

How many delegates were present on May 14th?

• 55

• 13

• 8

• 7

What was the average age of the delegates at the Convention?

• 30

• 44

• 50

• 60

Why did the delegates decide to keep their discussions secret?

• To protect their families

• To prevent foreign interference

• To encourage honest debate

• To avoid public scrutiny

What did the delegates ultimately decide to do with the Articles of Confederation?

• Keep them as they were

• Amend them

• Send them back to the states for approval

• Discard them and draft a new document

How many states needed to ratify the new Constitution for it to be adopted?

• 11

• 13

• 7

• 9

When was the signed Constitution presented?

• October 10th

• July 4th

• August 15th

• September 17th

How long did the country debate before adopting the Constitution?

• One year

• Two years

• Three years

• Four years