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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which state has the largest delegation present at the end of the Convention?
(a) Virginia.
(b) New York.
(c) Massachusetts.
(d) Pennsylvania.

2. The delegates pass a motion that the official Convention papers are kept by whom?
(a) Benjamin Franklin.
(b) Alexander Hamilton.
(c) James Madison.
(d) George Washington.

3. What new phrase does Governor Morris insert in the short preamble to the Constitution?
(a) "We the people of the United States".
(b) "With liberty and justice for all".
(c) "The pursuit of happiness".
(d) "Certain inalienable rights".

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

5. What is the Bill of Rights?
(a) The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
(b) The first proposal by the Continental Congress.
(c) The first seven articles of the Constitution.
(d) A universal declaration of the rights of humans.

6. What does Edmund Randolph propose on the final day of the Convention?
(a) To add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
(b) To empower Congress to cut canals where they are needed.
(c) To hold a second general Convention after the people have a chance to examine the proposed Constitution.
(d) To empower Congress to establish a University.

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

8. What is the federal ratio?
(a) The number of Congressional delegates needed to override a Presidential veto.
(b) The number of property owners needed to grant statehood to an area of the Western Territory.
(c) The distance needed between the seat of federal government and any state or local government.
(d) The ratio used to determine how many slaves are equivalent to one free white citizen.

9. Why is Amos Singletry opposed to the Constitution?
(a) He believes that it offers too much to the citizens of the Southern states.
(b) He believes it prevents Maine from separating from Massachusetts.
(c) He believes that Massachusetts loses too much power under a national government.
(d) He believes it favors the lawyers and the elite at the expense of the less-educated and less-well-to-do farmers.

10. Why does Madison oppose the popular election of the President?
(a) He believes that the people are not smart enough to understand the consequences of a popular election.
(b) He believes people prefer to elect a citizen from their own state and smaller states have a disadvantage.
(c) He is concerned that political parties unduly effect the outcome of a popular election.
(d) He believes the government is in the form of a monarchy.

11. On the last day, which delegate states he is determined to withhold his name from the Constitution?
(a) Charles Pinckney.
(b) John Rutledge.
(c) Luther Martin.
(d) Elbridge Gerry.

12. What does Congress do eight days after receiving the Constitution?
(a) Pass a recommendation that states call conventions for the purpose of ratification.
(b) Pass a motion that the Constitution is approved, pending approval of nine states.
(c) Pass a series of amendments to the Constitution.
(d) Propose a series of amendments to the Constitution for the states to consider.

13. Who is elected president of the Massachusetts Convention to ratify the Constitution?
(a) John Hancock.
(b) Elbridge Gerry.
(c) Alexander Hamilton.
(d) Samuel Adams.

14. Who is named amanuensis for the Committee of Style and Arrangement?
(a) Governor Morris.
(b) Alexander Hamilton.
(c) William Samuel Johnson.
(d) James Madison.

15. What are the Federalist Papers?
(a) The published version of Madison's notes from the Convention.
(b) The published version of Washington's description of the Convention.
(c) A series of articles published in New York newspapers supporting the ratification of the Constitution.
(d) A series of articles published in New York newspapers against the ratification of the Constitution.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which delegate makes the motion that an address to the people accompanies the Constitution?

2. What are foreign visitors to America surprised they don't see more frequently?

3. Which delegate is vehemently against the idea of a standing army?

4. Oliver Ellsworth argues that which state should ratify the Constitution or risk being overtaken by New York?

5. What does Widgery do after the Constitution is ratified by the Massachusetts Convention?

(see the answer keys)

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