Creation of the US Constitution

What did American revolutionaries believe was the primary purpose of government?

• To establish a monarchy.

• To protect fundamental rights.

• To control all aspects of citizens' lives.

• To wage war against other nations.

What was a significant weakness of the government established by the Articles of Confederation?

• The central government had too much power over the states.

• States were unable to print their own currency.

• The Confederation Congress lacked the power to tax or coordinate foreign policy.

• All states were required to have a standing army.

What event in 1786 highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and prompted calls for a stronger national government?

• The Boston Tea Party.

• The Stamp Act protests.

• Shays' Rebellion.

• The Battle of Saratoga.

Who was chosen to chair the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787?

• Benjamin Franklin.

• Alexander Hamilton.

• James Madison.

• George Washington.

What was the primary outcome of the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?

• It established a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

• It created a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and the other on equal state representation.

• It abolished slavery in all states to ensure equal representation.

• It granted the executive branch absolute power over the legislative branch.

How did the Constitutional Convention resolve the dispute over counting enslaved people for representation and taxation?

• Enslaved people were not counted at all for any purpose.

• Enslaved people were counted as full persons for both representation and taxation.

• Enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation.

• Enslaved people were counted only for taxation, not for representation.

What concern did some delegates, like Edmund Randolph, raise regarding the proposed single executive in the Virginia Plan?

• That a single executive would be too weak to effectively govern the nation.

• That a single executive could lead to a monarchy.

• That the executive branch would not be balanced by a judiciary.

• That the executive would be chosen by popular vote, undermining state power.

What was a significant reason some delegates refused to sign the Constitution at the end of the convention?

• They believed the Constitution gave too much power to individual states.

• They protested the lack of a Bill of Rights.

• They disagreed with the establishment of a judicial branch.

• They felt the executive branch was not powerful enough.

What was a primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the proposed Constitution?

• It granted too much power to individual states.

• It lacked specific guarantees for individual rights.

• It would lead to a weak central government.

• It favored agricultural states over commercial states.

Which state was the first to unanimously ratify the Constitution?

• Pennsylvania

• New Jersey

• Delaware

• Georgia