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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which delegate is credited with being the strongest influence on the creation of the 1787 Convention?

2. Which late-arriving delegate is also governor of New Jersey?

3. What is the ever-present danger delegates do not discuss?

4. Who proposes the compromise on representation?

5. Which delegate is elected chairman of the Committee of the Whole?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Washington call sovereignty a "monster"?

2. Why is there an argument over the issue of a single executive?

3. What does James Wilson mean by his statement that Federal liberty is to states what civil liberty is to individuals?

4. What are Lansing's arguments in favor of the New Jersey Plan?

5. What is Alexander Hamilton's role in the events leading up to the 1787 Convention?

6. Why are some people uncomfortable with Benjamin Franklin's ideas about government?

7. What characteristic and accomplishments make Rufus King the most impressive of the delegates from Massachusetts?

8. In Chapter Eight, why does Bowen include an anecdote from Pierce's Reliques?

9. What do the delegates to the Convention understand as the meaning of "democracy"?

10. Why is the Sherman Compromise important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although the Constitution is eventually ratified by all of the states, there is opposition in each state. Write an essay that presents and explains the reasons for opposition to the Constitution presented by the delegates in each of the state conventions. Analyze the validity of their reasoning, placing your analysis in historical context. How do the supporters of the Constitution address these concerns?

Essay Topic 2

Convention delegates find many topics that cause controversy. In several instances, the best solution is a compromise. Identify three controversial topics, describe the source of the controversy, and explain how the delegates compromise to resolve the issue. Which compromise do you believe to be the most important? Provide evidence to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The Bill of Rights is not included in the original Constitution, but is added upon recommendations from the state conventions. In a well-crafted essay, address the reasons why delegates feel a Bill of Rights is not needed in the Constitution. Discuss how the individual amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights are extensions, elaborations, or modifications to specific Articles from the Constitution.

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