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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. Which delegate is president of the Illinois-Wabash Land Company?

2. Why is Amos Singletry opposed to the Constitution?

3. Why is Pierce Butler opposed to foreigners without a long residence in America being elected to Congress?

4. What issue is most important for the states of Kentucky and Tennessee?

5. Which delegate is the only Northerner at the Convention who refuses to sign the Constitution?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What arguments do the Anti-federalists use in their opposition to the Constitution?

3. What do Randolph and the other members of the Committee of Detail think are necessary elements for a well-composed Constitution?

4. Why does Randolph decline to sign the Constitution?

5. Why are test oaths an issue for the delegates?

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

7. What underlying concerns are voiced during the discussion about the seat of a national government?

8. What is Thomas Jefferson's reaction to the Constitution?

9. Why is ratification an important issue?

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

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

What does it mean to be an American in 1787? The delegates to the Convention address this question in various ways. Using the final Constitution as your guide, with supplementing evidence drawn from other chapters in Bowen's book, write a well-crafted essay that describes the delegates' understanding and perception of who is an American and what it means to be an American.

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.

(see the answer keys)

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