Constitutional Convention Question Preview (ID: 34817)


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The 3/5 Compromise was included in the Constitution to resolve a conflict over the
a) Counting of enslaved persons in relation to taxation and representation
b) Reimbursement of plantation owners for runaway slaves
c) Number of votes needed to approve a treaty in the Senate
d) Number of states needed to ratify a proposed amendment

The purpose of the 3/5 Compromise, which was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in 1787, was to
a) Balance power between states with large populations and those with smaller populations
b) Provide a means of deciding disputed presidential elections
c) Allow Congress to override a presidential veto of an act passed by both houses
d) Reduce the fear of loss of representation by Southern states with large slave populations

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise settled the issue of representation in Congress by
a) Giving each state two senators and a number of representatives based on population
b) Allowing all states to have equal representation in Congress
c) Having both houses of Congress chosen by state legislatures
d) Having both houses of Congress directly elected by the people

What is the primary democratic ideal demonstrated by the US Senate's power to reject a treaty negotiated by the president?
a) Federalism
b) Checks and Balances
c) Individual Rights
d) Popular Sovereignty

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise was concerned mainly with
a) Representation of the states in Congress
b) The powers of the executive
c) The question of slavery
d) Control of interstate commerce

What is a democratic ideal that is stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution?
a) Federal laws must be subject to state approval
b) The power of government comes from the people
c) The right to bear arms shall not be infringed
d) All men and women are created equal

The major reason Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the US Constitution was because they believed
a) Amending the Constitution was too easy
b) Too much power was given to states
c) A federal court system would be too weak
d) Individual rights were not adequately protected

The writers of the Constitution included the concepts of federalism, checks and balances, and separation of powers in the document because they
a) Feared a government with unlimited power
b) Favored the poor over the rich
c) Wanted to increase the power of the states
d) Hoped to expand the democratic process

During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the plans for Congress proposed by New Jersey and Virginia differed mainly over the issue of
a) Life terms of office or short terms of office
b) Appointed legislatures or elected legislators
c) Equal state representation or proportional state representation
d) Power to check other branches or power limited to lawmaking

Those who supported the ratification of the Bill of Rights (Federalists) to the US Constitution promised to add a bill of rights in order to
a) Encourage economic development
b) Prevent the return of English control over the new nation
c) Increase the power of the national government over the states
d) Persuade the Anti-Federalists to accept the Constitution

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, a major issue that was controversial and needed compromise was
a) Disagreement between the states over representation in Congress
b) Controversy between the separation of church and state
c) Delegates' lack of talent and government experience
d) Hostility of the Federalists to creating a new government

The ratification of the Bill of Rights, the institution of the President's cabinet, and the practice of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison best show
a) Concept of a strict interpretation of the Constitution
b) Expansion of the power of states
c) Flexibility and loose interpretation of the Constitution
d) Influence of political parties on American government

Which belief was generally held by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
a) A strong central government is necessary to maintain order
b) Slavery should be abolished
c) The principles of government should be firm and unchangeable
d) The rule of men is superior to the rule of law

In the 1780s, the publication of the Federalist Papers was intended to
a) Justify the American Revolution to the colonists
b) Provide a plan of operation for the delegates to the Constitutional Convention
c) Encourage ratification of the US Constitution
d) Express support for the election of George Washington to the Presidency

During the debates over the ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed most strongly over
a) Division of powers between the national and state governments
b) Provision for admitting new states to the Union
c) Distribution of power between the Senate and House of Representatives
d) Method of amending the Constitution

Why was the Preamble of the US Constitution written?
a) Outline the organization of the government
b) Protect the people from abuses of the federal government
c) Describe the purposes and goals of government
d) Provide for ways to amend the Constitution

The authors of the US Constitution created the electoral college system because they
a) Did not trust the judgment of the common people in electing the president
b) Did not want to check the power of Congress in the election process
c) Sought to prevent the development of political parties
d) Wanted to establish a direct democracy as opposed to a representative democracy

The most significant change from the Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution was the
a) The issue of settlement of western lands needed solution
b) No procedure existed for admitting new states
c) The central government needed additional power
d) Expansion of voting rights

In the late 1780s, some key states were persuaded to ratify the Constitution by the promise that provisions would be made for
a) Low taxes
b) A national court system
c) A bill of rights
d) National assumption of state debts

What was the primary goal of the writers of the US Constitution?
a) Strengthen the power of the central government
b) Change from a government based on division of powers to one based on a single power
c) Develop a government system based on the principle of the supremacy of the states
d) Weaken the power of the executive

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