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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. According to the Convention rules, how are questions to be decided?

2. Why is it difficult for Congress to obtain a quorum?

3. Why does Patterson of New Jersey ask for time in mid June?

4. What two types of documents do Convention delegates have to guide their discussion of states' rights?

5. Why does Edmund Randolph oppose a single executive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the delegates see as the difference between a federal and a national government?

2. Why are Patrick Henry and Sam Adams absent from the Convention?

3. What kind of reception does John Adams receive in England?

4. Under the Articles of Confederation, what are some of the weaknesses of government?

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

6. What is the difference between the European view of the forest and the American view of the forest?

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

8. What are considered to be the disadvantages to having a single executive?

9. What is the relationship between France and America during the period of the Convention?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Convention delegates have multiple procedures for ensuring every delegate has a chance to express their ideas, concerns, and opinions. One procedure permits delegates to re-open, re-examine, and re-vote on issues that previously are decided. Choose an issue delegates re-consider after a vote. In a well-crafted essay, present the initial discussion and decision, the reason for re-examination, the second decision, and reasons for a change in the decision, if appropriate. Is the re-consideration prompted by someone who initially expresses a dissenting opinion with the majority vote or is there a change in sentiment by the delegate? Does the re-examination have an impact on the final version of the Constitution? If so, what is it? Include evidence to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan are both proposed during the Convention discussion. Discuss how each of these treats the issue of representation, and compare their proposed solutions to the plan for representation presented in the final Constitution.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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