1.
The Articles of Confederation did all of the following except
Correct Answer
C. Divide power among three branches of government.
Explanation
The Articles of Confederation did not divide power among three branches of government. Instead, it established a weak central government with a unicameral legislature, where each state had one vote. This meant that there was no executive branch to enforce laws or a judicial branch to interpret them. The lack of a separation of powers was a major flaw of the Articles and ultimately led to its replacement by the Constitution.
2.
Supporters fo the new Constitution were known as Federalists.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Supporters of the new Constitution were known as Federalists. This is true because during the time of the ratification of the Constitution in the late 18th century, those who supported its adoption and believed in a strong central government were called Federalists. They argued for the ratification of the Constitution and the establishment of a federal system of government. On the other hand, those who opposed the Constitution and favored stronger state governments were known as Anti-Federalists.
3.
Shay's Rebellion is remembered today because it
Correct Answer
A. Dramatized the money problems faced by poor farmers.
Explanation
Shay's Rebellion is remembered today because it dramatized the money problems faced by poor farmers. During the rebellion, farmers were struggling with high taxes and debts, and their inability to pay led to the seizure and foreclosure of their properties. This uprising highlighted the economic hardships and inequalities faced by the common people, and it played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing the push for economic reforms and a stronger central government.
4.
The Constitutional Convention gave the job of choosing a chief executive to
Correct Answer
A. Electors chosen by the states.
Explanation
The Constitutional Convention decided that the responsibility of selecting a chief executive would be given to electors chosen by the states. This means that instead of the general public directly voting for the president, each state would appoint a group of electors who would then cast their votes on behalf of the state's citizens. This system was designed to balance the power between the states and the federal government, as well as to ensure that the president would be chosen by individuals who were knowledgeable and informed about the candidates.
5.
An important challenge facing the Constitutional Conventionwas how to balance the interests of large and small states.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true because one of the main challenges faced by the Constitutional Convention was finding a way to represent the interests of both large and small states. This issue was addressed through the creation of a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives representing the population-based interests of larger states, and the Senate providing equal representation for each state regardless of size. This compromise, known as the Great Compromise, helped to balance the power and influence of both large and small states in the new government.
6.
James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution" because
Correct Answer
B. His influence on the Constitutional Convention was so great.
Explanation
James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution" because of his influence on the Constitutional Convention. His ideas and proposals were instrumental in shaping the structure and content of the Constitution. Madison played a key role in drafting the Virginia Plan, which formed the basis of the discussions at the convention. He was also a vocal advocate for a strong central government and the protection of individual rights. His leadership and persuasive skills were crucial in garnering support for the Constitution among the delegates. As a result, Madison's influence on the Constitutional Convention was significant, earning him the title of the "Father of the Constitution."
7.
Both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans called for
Correct Answer
D. Three branches of government.
Explanation
Both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans called for three branches of government. This refers to the system of separation of powers, where the government is divided into three branches - the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This ensures a system of checks and balances, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Virginia and New Jersey Plans were both proposed during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and they both included this fundamental principle of having three branches of government.
8.
The Great Compromise was primarily related to
Correct Answer
C. Representation in Congress.
Explanation
The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was a solution proposed during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 to address the issue of representation in Congress. It established a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate providing equal representation for each state. This compromise was crucial in resolving the disagreement between large and small states and played a significant role in shaping the structure of the United States government.
9.
Rhode Island, Delaware, and Georgia had fewer than 100,000 people in 1790.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
In 1790, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Georgia had fewer than 100,000 people. This means that the population of these three states combined was less than 100,000.
10.
New York and Delaware were most likely to favor representation in Congress based on population.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
New York and Delaware were not most likely to favor representation in Congress based on population. This means that they were less likely to support a system where the number of representatives in Congress is determined by the population of each state.
11.
States on this graph wanted slaves to be counted in determining representation in Congress the same as any other person.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The states on the graph wanted slaves to be counted in determining representation in Congress the same as any other person. This means that they believed that slaves should be included in the population count when determining the number of representatives each state would have in Congress. This suggests that these states supported the idea of counting slaves as full individuals for the purposes of representation, rather than considering them as property or only partially counting them.
12.
Virginia stood to lose the most representatives in Congress if slaves were not counted in any way.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Virginia stood to lose the most representatives in Congress if slaves were not counted in any way. This is because the number of representatives each state has in Congress is determined by their population. At the time, Virginia had a large population of slaves, and if they were not counted, it would result in a decrease in Virginia's population count and therefore a decrease in their number of representatives.
13.
FAQs about the Constitutional Convention
Q. How were delegates to the Constitutional Convention chosen? A. They were appointed by state legislatures.
Q. Did all those appointed as delegates attend the convention? A. Nineteen did not. Some declined to attend; others agreed to attend but then
failed to show up.
Q. When did the delegates assemble? A. The meeting was called for May 14, 1787, but a quorum was not present
until May 25.
Q. What was the average age of the delegates? A. 42.
Q. What occupations did they represent? A. Probably 34 out of the 55 delegates had studied law. In addition to the
lawyers, there were soldiers, planters, educators, ministers, physicians, financiers, and merchants.
Q. How long did it take to frame the Constitution? A. It was drafted in fewer than 100 working days.
Q. Who actually wrote the Constitution? A. The records of the convention do not tell us who wrote any particular part
of the Constitution.
14.
The Constitution was drafted
Correct Answer
A. In under 100 working days.
Explanation
The correct answer is "in under 100 working days." This suggests that the Constitution was drafted in a relatively short period of time, specifically less than 100 working days. This implies that the process of drafting the Constitution was efficient and expedited, highlighting the importance and urgency of creating a governing document for the newly formed United States.
15.
Which statements about the delegates are supported by the passage?
Correct Answer(s)
B. They were middle aged as a group.
C. More than half had studied law.
D. They were appointed by state legislatures.
Explanation
The passage supports the statements that the delegates were middle-aged as a group, more than half of them had studied law, and they were appointed by state legislatures.
16.
Of the men appointed as delegates, 19 were no shows.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement indicates that out of the men appointed as delegates, 19 did not attend the event or fulfill their responsibilities. Therefore, the answer is true.
17.
The word quorum in the passage means
Correct Answer
B. The minimum number needed to conduct official business.
Explanation
The word "quorum" in the passage refers to the minimum number of individuals required to be present in order to conduct official business. This means that a certain number of people must be present for any decisions or actions to be considered valid or official.