Q1

Question

What was the initial purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

(1 point)
Responses

to ratify the Constitution
to ratify the Constitution

to amend the Constitution
to amend the Constitution

to write the Constitution
to write the Constitution

to amend the Articles of Confederation
to amend the Articles of Confederation
Question 2
Q2

Use the excerpt below to answer the question that follows:

So long as any individual state has power to defeat the measures of the other twelve, our pretended union is but a name, and our confederation, a cobweb.
—Noah Webster

What fundamental problem did Noah Webster see in the Articles of Confederation?

(1 point)
Responses

that small states would have just as much say in the government as larger states
that small states would have just as much say in the government as larger states

that the central government would always favor large states over the smaller states when disputes broke out
that the central government would always favor large states over the smaller states when disputes broke out

that states would always work in their own self-interest even if it meant harm to the nation as a whole
that states would always work in their own self-interest even if it meant harm to the nation as a whole

that the states would have no way to stop the central government from imposing harsh taxes on them
that the states would have no way to stop the central government from imposing harsh taxes on them
Question 3
Q3

What did the Northwest Ordinance outlaw in the Northwest Territory?

(1 point)
Responses

slavery
slavery

trial by jury
trial by jury

religious freedom
religious freedom

admission of new states
admission of new states
Question 4
Q4

Use the passage below to answer the question that follows:

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

—Articles of Confederation, Article II

According to the excerpt, who had more power under the Articles of Confederation?

(1 point)
Responses

It gave the majority of the power to the individual states, and limited the power of the national government.
It gave the majority of the power to the individual states, and limited the power of the national government.

It gave the majority of the power to the British monarchy, and limited the power of the national government.
It gave the majority of the power to the British monarchy, and limited the power of the national government.

It gave the majority of the power to the national government, and limited the power of individual states.
It gave the majority of the power to the national government, and limited the power of individual states.

It gave the majority of the power to the British monarchy, and limited the power of the national government.
It gave the majority of the power to the British monarchy, and limited the power of the national government.
Question 5
Q5

What are some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that caused the need for a new and stronger federal government that the framers outlined in the Constitution? Select TWO that apply.

(2 points)
Responses

confusion over different state currency
confusion over different state currency

how to set up reserved land for Native Americans
how to set up reserved land for Native Americans

how to resolve disputes between states over land
how to resolve disputes between states over land

differences in opinions on how to establish a federal educational system
differences in opinions on how to establish a federal educational system
Question 6
Q6

Which of the following was one important contribution made by Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention?

(1 point)
Responses

He was the mastermind behind the Great Compromise.
He was the mastermind behind the Great Compromise.

He called for an end to the Articles of Confederation.
He called for an end to the Articles of Confederation.

He made a plea to delegates to accept the U.S. Constitution.
He made a plea to delegates to accept the U.S. Constitution.

He is known as the primary author of the U.S. Constitution.
He is known as the primary author of the U.S. Constitution.
Question 7
Q7

What effect did the Three-Fifths Compromise have on Southern states?

(1 point)
Responses

It limited the number of states that allowed slavery.
It limited the number of states that allowed slavery.

It gave those states more representation in Congress.
It gave those states more representation in Congress.

It gave the South the power to outvote the North
It gave the South the power to outvote the North

It helped increase the number of slaves traded
It helped increase the number of slaves traded
Question 8
Q8

What was a similarity between the Bill of Rights and the Magna Carta?

(1 point)
Responses

Both outlined a structure that gave the government the right to tax its citizens.
Both outlined a structure that gave the government the right to tax its citizens.

Both provided guidelines for ensuring basic citizen rights.
Both provided guidelines for ensuring basic citizen rights.

Both established a detailed justice system.
Both established a detailed justice system.

Both were based on the premise that the states should have more power.
Both were based on the premise that the states should have more power.
Question 9
Q9

What presidential power under the Constitution led the Antifederalists to urge for a Bill of Rights?

(1 point)
Responses

the power to carry out the laws passed by Congress
the power to carry out the laws passed by Congress

military power, as commander-in-chief
military power, as commander-in-chief

veto power over acts of Congress
veto power over acts of Congress

the power to declare states of emergency without consulting Congress
the power to declare states of emergency without consulting Congress
Question 10
Q10

Who was responsible for writing the amendments that later became the Bill of Rights?

(1 point)
Responses

James Madison
James Madison

George Washington
George Washington

George Mason
George Mason

Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Question 11
Q11

What was the importance of the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

(1 point)
Responses

It improved U.S. relations with the British monarchy.
It improved U.S. relations with the British monarchy.

It limited the power and controls of the government.
It limited the power and controls of the government.

It guaranteed the protection of basic rights.
It guaranteed the protection of basic rights.

It proposed a system of checks and balances
It proposed a system of checks and balances
Question 12
Q12 - ESSAY

Discuss 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how it led to a new Constitution.

(3 points)

Answer 1

Q1: What was the initial purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
Response: to amend the Articles of Confederation

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Q2: What fundamental problem did Noah Webster see in the Articles of Confederation?
Response: that states would always work in their own self-interest even if it meant harm to the nation as a whole

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Q3: What did the Northwest Ordinance outlaw in the Northwest Territory?
Response: slavery

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Q4: According to the excerpt, who had more power under the Articles of Confederation?
Response: It gave the majority of the power to the individual states, and limited the power of the national government.

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Q5: What are some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that caused the need for a new and stronger federal government that the framers outlined in the Constitution? Select TWO that apply.
Response:

1. confusion over different state currency
2. how to resolve disputes between states over land

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Q6: Which of the following was one important contribution made by Benjamin Franklin during the Constitutional Convention?
Response: He made a plea to delegates to accept the U.S. Constitution.

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Q7: What effect did the Three-Fifths Compromise have on Southern states?
Response: It gave those states more representation in Congress.

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Q8: What was a similarity between the Bill of Rights and the Magna Carta?
Response: Both provided guidelines for ensuring basic citizen rights.

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Q9: What presidential power under the Constitution led the Antifederalists to urge for a Bill of Rights?
Response: military power, as commander-in-chief

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Q10: Who was responsible for writing the amendments that later became the Bill of Rights?
Response: James Madison

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Q11: What was the importance of the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution?
Response: It guaranteed the protection of basic rights.

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Q12 - ESSAY:
Discuss 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how it led to a new Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation, established in 1781, had several significant weaknesses that ultimately necessitated the creation of a new U.S. Constitution.

1. Lack of a Strong Central Government: Under the Articles, the national government lacked the power to impose taxes, leading to financial instability. States operated independently and often refused to contribute to national expenses. This financial chaos made it difficult to fund the national military and pay debts, undermining the government’s ability to function effectively.

2. Inability to Regulate Commerce: The Articles did not grant power to regulate interstate or foreign commerce. This oversight caused economic disarray as states imposed their own tariffs and trade restrictions. Disputes arose between states, making it difficult for the nation to present a unified economic front. This inefficiency eventually led leaders to recognize the need for stronger federal control over commerce to promote economic stability.

3. Difficulty in Passing Legislation: The requirement for a supermajority (9 out of 13 states) to pass laws created a significant hurdle for governance. This made it nearly impossible to enact needed reforms or address pressing issues, leading to frustration among leaders and citizens who felt increasingly disconnected from their government.

These weaknesses emphasized the need for a more robust federal government, leading to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to establish a stronger central authority while still preserving states’ rights.