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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which article, in the document presented by the Committee of Detail, alarms the Maryland delegates?
(a) The power of Congress to levy taxes on property and income.
(b) The power of Congress to pass navigational acts and regulate commerce among the states.
(c) The power of Congress to overturn legislation by individual states.
(d) The power of Congress to override a Presidential veto.

2. Which delegates is NOT a member of the Committee of Detail?
(a) Nathaniel Graham.
(b) Rufus King.
(c) James Wilson.
(d) Edmund Randolph.

3. Oliver Ellsworth argues that which state should ratify the Constitution or risk being overtaken by New York?
(a) Connecticut.
(b) New Jersey.
(c) Delaware.
(d) Rhode Island.

4. Which delegate signs the letter to Congress as a representative of all Convention delegates?
(a) William Samuel Johnson.
(b) George Washington.
(c) James Madison.
(d) Governor Morris.

5. Which basic proposition is common to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Report of the Committee of Detail?
(a) Length of residency for Congress members.
(b) The method of determining who is chief executive.
(c) Proportional representation for each state by size of state-owned land.
(d) A government in three parts: executive, legislative, judicial.

6. Where does the Constitution go after it is signed in Philadelphia?
(a) To Congress for ratification.
(b) To the individual states for ratification.
(c) To Congress, who recommends it to the states for ratification.
(d) To state governors for their approval, then to Congress.

7. Which delegate voices a moral defense of slavery?
(a) Elbridge Gerry.
(b) Edmund Randolph.
(c) Charles Pinckney.
(d) Benjamin Franklin.

8. By August 30th, what date has been set for the final adjournment?
(a) September 31st.
(b) September 1st.
(c) No date has been set.
(d) August 31st.

9. Which delegate wishes to establish a national university supported by Congress?
(a) James Madison.
(b) Alexander Hamilton.
(c) Elbridge Gerry.
(d) George Washington.

10. What does the Committee of Detail present to the Convention on August 6th?
(a) An amended version of the New Jersey Plan.
(b) A revision of the Great Compromise.
(c) An amended version of the Virginia Plan.
(d) A final draft of the Constitution.

11. According to Roger Williams, what is the principle at the heart of constitutional government?
(a) Equal representation for states.
(b) The pursuit of happiness.
(c) The civil power, with people consenting and agreeing.
(d) The abolition of slavery.

12. Which delegate is vehemently against the idea of a standing army?
(a) Elbridge Gerry.
(b) Governor Morris.
(c) James Madison.
(d) Ellsworth.

13. Why are Philadelphia's artisans and mechanics in favor of the Constitution?
(a) They believe it makes them equivalent to the wealthy landowners.
(b) They believe it gives them additional opportunities to enter government.
(c) They believe it opens the Western Territories and give them a chance to own property.
(d) They believe it improves trade with Europe.

14. According to Edmund Randolph, what is the purpose of a preamble?
(a) To guarantee equal access to Congress.
(b) To designate the ends of government and human politics.
(c) To demonstrate equality and democracy.
(d) To answer questions of law.

15. Why does George Mason object to the motion empowering Congress to cut canals where needed?
(a) He believes it create monopolies.
(b) He believes the future of transportation lay elsewhere and this is wasteful spending.
(c) He thinks Philadelphia uses it as an excuse for establishing a bank.
(d) He thinks it gives an advantage to the Western Territories.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is a permanent location for the new government more important than it is for the old government?

2. Why is it necessary for the Western Territories to have an ocean port?

3. The delegates pass a motion that the official Convention papers are kept by whom?

4. Who is named Chairman of the Committee of Style and Arrangement?

5. Who founded the Ohio Company and sells shares to congressmen?

(see the answer keys)

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