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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 makes the motion that an address to the people accompanies the Constitution?

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

3. Who creates a dictionary to capitalize on the uniqueness of the American language?

4. What is the purpose of the Committee of Detail?

5. Which delegate signs the letter to Congress as a representative of all Convention delegates?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What is the Committee of Style and Arrangement?

9. Why does Randolph decline to sign the Constitution?

10. Why is it difficult for the delegates to define treason?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Some people say that money makes the world go around. Write a well-crafted essay that details how economics and finance, including issues of trade and commerce, impact the Convention and the final Constitution.

Essay Topic 2

Some of the delegates to the Convention are well-known figures from American history. Other delegates, however, are less well-known. Choose three of the delegates listed below and write an essay that presents their contributions to the Convention discussions and the final Constitution.

Examples are:

Rufus King

Elbridge Gerry

Edmund Randolph

Nathaniel Gorham

Pierce Butler

Gouverneur Morris

James Wilson

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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