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WorksheetsFoundations of the Constitution
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
What was the first plan of government for the 13 states?
The U.S. Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Magna Carta
Which of the following were weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Choose all that apply.
there was no judicial branch or executive branch
the states were responsible for enforcing laws passed by Congress
states had more power than the federal government
Congress could only request taxes from the states
What event led to calls for the Articles of Confederation to be rewritten?
the Land Ordinance of 1785
the Boston Massacre
Shays' Rebellion
Pontiac's War
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
to write the Declaration of Independence
to write the Constitution
to adopt the Bill of Rights
to revise the Articles of Confederation
Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention?
Alexander Hamilton
Roger Sherman
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Who is considered to be the father of the Constitution?
James Madison
Roger Sherman
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Who came up with the Great Compromise?
James Madison
Roger Sherman
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
What role did Benjamin Franklin play at the Constitutional Convention?
he is considered the father of the Constitution
he wrote the Constitution
he was president of the Constitution
he provided wisdom and humor during the tense debates
Why is James Madison considered the father of the Constitution?
he wrote the Constitution
his research led to many of the ideas that influenced the ideas of the Constitution
he is the father of the nation
his son was born during the Constitutional Convention
How did the Great Compromise make both the small and large states happy?
it created a two house legislature - one with equal representation for the small states and one with representation based on population for the large states
it created a two house legislature - one with equal representation for the large states and one with representation based on population for the small states
it established three branches of government
it allowed the Southern states to count their slaves in the population and allowed the Northern states to tax exports
How did the 3/5ths Compromise benefit the Southern States?
it increased their revenue from taxes
it gave them more representation in Congress
it gave them more votes than the North
it allowed them to trade slave until 1808
Which of the following were examples of government that the members of the Convention considered when writing the new Constitution? Select all that apply.
the Magna Carta
the state governments
the Olive Branch Petition
the English Bill of Rights
the Articles of Confederation
How did John Locke's ideas influence the Constitution?
he believed in dividing power into three branches of government
he believed that government is an agreement between the ruler and the ruled
he was opposed to the people voting
he thought that all people were created equal
Montesquieu believed in
separation of powers
bicameral legislatures
absolute monarchies
government is an agreement between the ruler and the ruled
How does separation of powers keep one person or group from gaining too much power?
it protects the rights of the people
it divides government into three branches
it creates a president and a vice-president
it allows for the people to have more influence
Why were Federalists concerned about the states having too much power?
a civil war might break out between the states
some states might decide to rejoin England
problems between states would make it difficult for a weak central government to function well
What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
to rewrite the Articles of Confederation
to oppose the Constitution
to explain and support the Constitution
to establish and explain the Supreme Court
What did Antifederalists want added to the Constitution before they would agree to ratify it?
a Preamble to explain what is in the Constitution
a Judicial Branch to interpret the Constitution
a bill of rights to protect people's basic rights
a way to change or amend the Constitution
Why did some delegates initially refuse to ratify the Constitution? Choose all that apply.
it gave too much power to the central government
it gave too much power to the central government
it gave too much power to the central government
it gave too much power to the central government
it wasn't funny enough :-)
Many people consider the Mayflower Compact America’s first ______ because the Pilgrims wrote down a basic plan for the new colony.
ordinance
constitution
bill of rights
compromise
Although not everybody liked the new rule they were able to ______ and make an agreement.
ratify
amend
compromise
alliance
Seattle passed a(n) ______ outlawing plastic straws in 2017.
constitution
bill of rights
republic
ordinance
The board of directors ______(ed) the contract approving a pay increase for all of the employees.
compromise
alliance
ratify
amend
Changes to the speed limit would require the council to ______ the city code.
dissent
repeal
amend
ratify
England is considered a _______ because the people elect representatives to serve in Parliament.
republic
constitution
bill of rights
legislature
This picture of Mrs. Powell's brother shows how the ________ divided lands in the west.
Northwest Ordinance
Articles of Confederation
Proclamation of 1763
Land Ordinance of 1785
He tried to ______ his behavior by explaining that he was being pressured unfairly by his boss.
petition
justify
dissent
amend
Can the Constitution be changed?
yes, it can be amended and it is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very easy
no it can't be amended
yes, it can be amended but it is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very difficult
sometimes
Bonus Question (this is not on the test)
What are the two "nicknames" for Article 1, Section 8 Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution?
the necessary and proper clause
the commerce clause
the santa clause
the elastic clause
the expand their power clause
Why did the Framers create a republic?
they wanted a government where the people governed through elected representatives
they were republicans not democrats
they were hoping to recreate a monarchy
