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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. The delegates pass a motion that the official Convention papers are kept by whom?

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

3. Which basic proposition is common to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Report of the Committee of Detail?

4. What is the Bill of Rights?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is ratification an important issue?

3. What are the differences between living conditions along the Atlantic coastline and in the interior country or back land?

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

5. What are the arguments presented against including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

By 1787, there are some distinctions between the viewpoints of Northern and Southern states. Identify three (3) issues where there are regional differences. Write a well-crafted essay that presents the regional perspectives on each each issue, identifying specific delegates and states if possible.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, Bowen refers to interactions between European countries and the United States. What evidence does she present about past events? What evidence does she show about the contemporary situation? What fears do the delegates express about the relationship - past, present, and future - between the states and Europe? How do the relationships between the United States and England and France shape the final Constitution? In a well-crafted essay, describe the relationships between the United States and European countries, with careful attention to how those relationship influence the final Constitution.

Essay Topic 3

Discussions by the Convention delegates reveals clear divisions between the interests of the large states and the interests of the small states. Choose three examples of issues that involve the size of the states. In your essay, describe the issue, the effect the size of a state's population has on the issue, and the ultimate outcome. How does the final Constitution address the conflicting interests between large and small states?

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