Constitutional Convention Key Concepts

What was the official purpose of the Federal Convention, as directed by the Confederation Congress?

• To create a completely new Constitution for the United States.

• To propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

• To elect the first President of the United States.

• To declare war on Great Britain.

How did James Madison categorize the delegates attending the Constitutional Convention?

• Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

• Federalists, Moderates, and Anti-Federalists.

• Whigs, Tories, and Patriots.

• Liberals, Conservatives, and Centrists.

Which influential figure did James Madison convince to attend the Constitutional Convention, whose presence helped sway other delegates?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• John Adams

What was a key feature of the Virginia Plan regarding the legislative branch?

• A single legislative house with equal representation for all states.

• A bicameral legislature with seats proportional to each state's population.

• A legislative branch with no power to create federal laws.

• A legislative branch where members were appointed by state governors.

What was a key feature of Alexander Hamilton's plan for the new government?

• Senators would serve for life on good behavior.

• The House of Representatives would be elected for life terms.

• The executive branch would consist of three leaders.

• All government officials would be directly elected by the people.

What was the main purpose of the Connecticut Compromise?

• To establish a strong executive branch with a single leader.

• To resolve the disagreement between large and small states over representation.

• To determine how enslaved people would be counted for population.

• To create a system for electing the president directly by popular vote.

Why was the Three-Fifths Compromise adopted during the Constitutional Convention?

• To ensure equal representation for all states in the Senate.

• To allow Southern states to count a portion of their enslaved population for representation.

• To establish a fair method for taxing enslaved people.

• To determine the number of years a president could serve in office.

What significant change did Gouverneur Morris propose for the Preamble of the Constitution?

• To list all 13 states by name

• To replace the list of states with "the United States"

• To remove the phrase "We the People"

• To add a Bill of Rights to the Preamble

How many states were required to ratify the new Constitution for it to go into effect, according to Article VII?

• All 13 states

• 7 states

• 9 states

• 11 states

Which of the following was a major concern for George Mason regarding the new Constitution?

• It gave too little power to the federal government.

• It did not include a Bill of Rights.

• It allowed states to propose too many amendments.

• It did not address the issue of slavery.