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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What position did "Publius" advocate?
(a) Attacking the new Constitution.
(b) Arguing against ratification of the Constitution.
(c) Proposing an alternative to the Constitution.
(d) Defending the new Constitution.

2. What did Madison and Jefferson feel about Virginia?
(a) That the taxation rates were too low.
(b) That international trade would solve its budget problems.
(c) That the executive was too weak.
(d) That democracy restricted the leaders.

3. What theory was flourishing in the 1770s in America?
(a) The theory of evolution.
(b) The theory of institutional design.
(c) The theory of intelligent design.
(d) The theory of free trade and open markets.

4. Where did Mr. Sherman say election should take place?
(a) Among sitting representatives.
(b) In the popular polls.
(c) In the Electoral College.
(d) In the state legislatures.

5. What was Mr. Wilson's feeling about the compromise?
(a) He felt that majority rule alone could legitimize government.
(b) He felt that elections were not accurate indications of the country's needs.
(c) He felt that popular participation would weaken government.
(d) He felt that appointed leaders were better suited for the work of governing.

6. How many branches of government did Mr. Madison propose be elected?
(a) He proposed that all government positions should be elected.
(b) Three.
(c) At least one.
(d) Two.

7. Delegates were trying to strike a balance in their decision about electing representatives for the House between what?
(a) Between American and foreign power.
(b) Between East coast and southern power.
(c) Between ideals and practical applications.
(d) Between federal and state power.

8. What compromise did this body propose, between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
(a) Supreme Court Judges would be appointed by the executive, but the Congress could override the appointment.
(b) State representation in the upper house, and representation by person in the lower house.
(c) Missouri entered the union as a free state, and Texas as a slave state.
(d) The government would maintain a standing army, but not a big one.

9. What happened to the motion not to give government officers salaries?
(a) It was rejected as too aristocratic.
(b) It was killed in committee.
(c) It was tabled to be voted on later.
(d) It was rejected as impractical.

10. Where did James Madison argue government legitimacy came from?
(a) The righteousness of laws.
(b) The political process itself.
(c) Consent of the governed.
(d) The power of the government.

11. What did Mr. Hamilton argue during the debate over the length of Senatorial term-lengths?
(a) Senators should serve for life to create continuity in government.
(b) Senators should have short terms in order to remain subject to their constituents.
(c) Senators should have long terms to stay above the fray.
(d) Senators should appoint their successors.

12. What were the delegates debating in Chapter 3?
(a) The election of Senators.
(b) The election of the President.
(c) The appointment of judges.
(d) The election of the House of Representatives.

13. What reason did delegates give for Senators being elected in state legislatures?
(a) They would therefore be men of character.
(b) They would have the contacts they needed within the state.
(c) They would therefore be essentially promoted from within.
(d) They would already know the laws.

14. What were opponents of the resolution that was ultimately adopted afraid of?
(a) That trade would be stifled.
(b) That the federal government would become too powerful.
(c) That the states would gain too much independence.
(d) That foreign countries would be able to divide and conquer.

15. What did the Southern economy rely on at the time of the constitutional convention?
(a) Expansion.
(b) State-to-state trade.
(c) Imports.
(d) Exports.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Mr. Wilson prefer the New Jersey Plan?

2. What did Madison argue for in his letter to George Washington?

3. What did Edmund Randolph present to the delegates?

4. What did George Mason argue in the debate of June 4?

5. Where do delegates think that authority needs to originate in order to be legitimate?

(see the answer keys)

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