Understanding the US Constitution

What was the primary purpose of the document written in 1787 for the USA?

• To declare independence

• To establish a monarchy

• To structure the government

• To outline trade agreements

How many states were required to ratify the Constitution for it to become official?

• 7

• 9

• 13

• All 13

What is the US Constitution considered today?

• A historical artifact

• The ultimate law of the land

• A suggestion for governance

• A temporary agreement

What document was created by the Second Continental Congress to govern the new nation?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Bill of Rights

• The Articles of Confederation

• The US Constitution

What was a major flaw of the Articles of Confederation?

• It gave too much power to the central government

• It required unanimous approval from all states for any law

• It gave very limited power to the central government

• It did not address the issue of slavery

What was the initial goal of the Constitutional Convention delegates regarding the Articles of Confederation?

• To completely abolish them

• To revise them

• To expand their power

• To ignore them and create a new document

What year did the Constitutional Convention decide to start from scratch and create a new governing document?

• 1776

• 1781

• 1787

• 1789

How many branches was the new central government designed to have?

• Two

• Three

• Four

• Thirteen

What is the system called where each branch of government limits the power of the others?

• Separation of Powers

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

• Popular Sovereignty

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution collectively known as?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Bill of Rights

• The Federalist Papers