Understanding the U.S. Constitution Compromises

Why did delegates meet in Philadelphia in 1787?

• To declare independence from Great Britain.

• To elect the first President of the United States.

• To revise the Articles of Confederation and create a new Constitution.

• To establish a new system for westward expansion.

What was a major weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

• It had a strong executive branch that often overstepped its power.

• It could easily levy taxes on the states to fund its operations.

• It lacked a judicial branch to resolve disputes between states.

• Each state had only one representative, regardless of population.

What was the main outcome of the Great Compromise proposed by Roger Sherman?

• It established a single-house legislature with equal representation for all states.

• It created a bicameral legislature with different representation methods for each house.

• It gave the President the power to veto laws passed by Congress.

• It allowed states to decide whether or not to pay federal taxes.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise about?

• How many states needed to ratify the Constitution.

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

• The division of power between the federal and state governments.

• The number of free people needed to form a new state.

Why was the Three-Fifths Compromise created?

• To ensure all states had equal representation in Congress.

• To give more power to the northern states.

• To balance the representation of states with large enslaved populations without fully counting them.

• To abolish slavery in the new United States.

Which of the following best describes the beliefs of the Federalists?

• They wanted a weak central government and strong state governments.

• They supported a strong central government to benefit the country as a whole.

• They believed states were the best protectors of individual rights.

• They were against strong ties with England.

What was a main concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?

• They feared a strong national government would become too powerful and threaten individual liberties.

• They wanted stronger economic ties with England.

• They believed the Articles of Confederation government was successful.

• They thought the Constitution did not give enough power to the federal government.