View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is Deism?
(a) The religious foundation for the state of Massachusetts.
(b) A political movement advocating test oaths with a religious basis.
(c) The practice of disagreeing with organized religion.
(d) A religious belief that god is to be found through belief, not revelation.

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

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

5. Why is Pierce Butler opposed to foreigners without a long residence in America being elected to Congress?
(a) He believes such individuals bring attachments to other countries that are dangerous to American beliefs.
(b) He believes that only native-born individuals understand democracy.
(c) He believes that foreigners are not capable of governing effectively.
(d) He believes that Congress functions more efficiently if they are all native English speakers.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which delegate to the Pennsylvania Convention is most vocal in his support for the Constitution?

2. Why does the Convention need to end by September?

3. Which state has only one delegate sign the Constitution?

4. Why are French noblemen amazed to find Revolutionary War officers working as innkeepers?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Franklin argue that delegates approve the Constitution even if they have objections?

2. In the discussion on ratification, why does Edmund Randolph announce that he dissents from the whole system?

3. Why do the delegates vote against adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

4. Why aren't the delegates upset by the idea of a monarchy as a form of government?

5. Why is Jonathan Smith's speech powerful?

6. Why is the insertion of the phrase "We the People of the United States" considered to be both a bold move and a smart decision?

7. How is Washington's character described by his contemporaries?

8. How are George Washington and James Wilson connected to the Western Territories?

9. What is the Committee of Style and Arrangement?

10. Why is the Northwest Ordinance called the third great document of American history?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,035 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample