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WorksheetsSocial Studies Unit 2A 4th Grade
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 29mins
Which question was resolved by the Three-Fifths
Compromise?
Should Congress be able to regulate slavery?
Should states be allowed to collect income tax?
Should slaves be counted as part of a state's
population?
Should Supreme Court justices be elected or
appointed?
Which statement BEST summarizes the
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
It was too easy to pass new laws and amend the
Articles of Confederation.
The national government had no way to settle
disputes between states.
The states had too much power, and the
national government did not have enough power.
The government did not have enough money to
pay their war debt.
Which statement explains why the Articles of
Confederation allowed each state to print its own
money?
Each state had printed its own money in the
past.
It was cheaper to let each state print its own
money.
Citizens wanted a strong central banking
department.
Citizens feared the power of a strong central
government.
Which important argument during the
Constitutional Convention of 1787 led to the
Great Compromise?
the method for choosing the president
the number of representatives per state
the title for the leader of the new government
the amount of power given to the judicial branch
The Constitution was drafted (written) in 1787.
Since the people could not agree they had to
compromise. The Great Compromise
decided how the President would be elected.
gave the Supreme Court the power to decide if
laws are unconstitutional.
made a Congress with a Senate and a House of
Representatives.
started the cabinet to help the President.
The Articles of Confederation stated that
Congress could not
require citizens to pay taxes
organize new territories
borrow money from banks and wealthy land
owners
appoint a vice president
Which of the following belongs in the box with the
question mark?
Slave states vs. free states
Older states vs. newer states
Industrial states vs. agricultural states
Eastern states vs. western states
Why was George Washington made the leader of the Constitutional Convention?
He was one of the authors of the Articles of Confederation.
He was strongly opposed to slavery in the United States.
He was good friends with the leaders of many countries.
He was trusted and respected by the American people.
How did Benjamin Franklin help the Constitution gain support at the Constitutional Convention?
He wrote the Bill of Rights to protect the natural rights of the people.
He wrote the Preamble to describe the purpose of the new government.
He got the large states and small states to agree to the Great Compromise.
He got slave states and free states to agree to the Three-Fifths Compromise.
What role did George Washington play in the Constitutional Convention?
He suggested the adoption of the New Jersey Plan.
He presided over the convention and worked to maintain order.
He drafted the proposal known as the Virginia Plan
He cast the deciding vote and helped pass the US Constitution
Read the clues below and identify the person who attended the Constitutional Convention:
● Oldest member of the convention
● Was against slavery
● Known as a framer of the Constitution
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison
What were the terms of the Great Compromise?
Congress would not be allowed to ban the slave trade for twenty years.
Each state would select one Supreme Court justice
Each state would elect two senators, and the number of representatives in the House of Representatives would be determined by population.
Each state could choose to outlaw or allow slavery.
What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The government ended slavery but had no way to enforce the new law.
The government had no way to enforce its laws and no way to pay debts
The government needed funding to buy more land.
The government needed funding for interstate commerce.
When the Founders met to revise the Articles of Confederation, what did they decide to do?
write a new constitution, because it could be done in a short amount of time
adopt an amended version of the Articles with the approval of only a majority of the states
write a new constitution, because there were too many problems with the Articles and amending them required approval of all 13 states
keep the Articles the way they were so new states that had recently joined the Union would not have to approve a new governing document
The conflict solved by the Great Compromise was about what issue?
whether slavery should be legal
representation in Congress
whether to form an army
the power to coin money
Which states would have supported each of these plans?
States with small populations would have supported the New Jersey Plan. States with large populations would have supported the Virginia Plan.
States with small populations would have supported the Virginia Plan. States with large populations would have supported the New Jersey Plan.
Rich states would have supported the New Jersey Plan. Poor states would have supported the Virginia Plan.
Rich states would have supported the Virginia Plan. Poor states would have supported the New Jersey Plan
Why did the Articles of Confederation give more powers to the states than to the central government?
The central government did not want to be involved in too many things.
Great Britain did not approve of a strong central government.
Many people feared a central government and felt it was not needed.
Many Americans liked the idea of a strong central government.
What major governmental change did James Madison support at the Constitutional Convention?
Madison thought that the state governments should be stronger.
Madison thought that the national government should be stronger.
Madison thought that all power should be given to the executive branch.
Madison thought that all power should be given to the legislative branch.
What was James Madison's major contribution during the Constitutional Convention?
Madison wrote the Virginia Plan for the new US government.
Madison introduced the New Jersey Plan for the new US government.
Madison resolved a conflict over representation with the Great Compromise.
Madison resolved a conflict over representation with the Three-fifths Compromise.
The year is 1787, and it has become clear that there are many problems with the Articles of Confederation. You have been invited to the Constitutional Convention to amend the Articles to create a better government for the United States. First, you must decide what needs to be changed. What are three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
