Constitutional Convention

Why did political leaders gather in Philadelphia in May, 1787? 

• To discuss changes to the Declaration of Independence

• To declare war on France and Spain

• To discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation 

• To elect a new King for the United States 

How come the Congress could not pay their debts back from the Revolutionary War?

• Because the U.S. was in another war already

• Because states were giving the Congress enough money to pay those debts

• The Congress did not need to pay their debts off

• The Congress did not have taxing powers

What did everyone going to the Philadelphia Convention see the need for?

• A stronger central government

• A stronger army and navy

• A weaker central government

• Adding more states to the U.S. 

Who was chosen to preside over the Philadelphia Convention?

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• Alexander Hamilton

• Benjamin Franklin

Which of the following is true about the Virginia Plan?

• It created three branches of government - Legislative, Executive, & Judicial 

• It was proposed by James Madison

• It included a two house Legislative Branch

• All of the above

What does 'proportional representation' mean?

• The people of larger states would have to pay back the debts of the national government

• States with higher populations got more representatives in Congress

• States with lower populations would have more power in Congress

Which state plan was led by William Paterson and called for Congress to collect new taxes as well as calling for an executive & judicial branch?

• Paterson Plan

• New Jersey Plan

• Virginia Plan

What did the Three Fifths Compromise help settle?

• The issue of expanding the U.S. into the west

• The issue of Northern states not wanting to pay off the national debt

• The issue of counting three-fifths of all people who could vote

• The issue of states counting three-fifths of their slaves for representation

To keep the debate going over how to run the country, what did the Framers include?

• A way to replace the Constitution if things were not going well in the country

• A clause that allowed states to leave the Union if they wanted to

• A way to add amendments, or changes, to the Constitution

• A new voting method in selecting the President of the United States