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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What plan did James Madison favor?
(a) A diplomatic plan.
(b) A federal plan.
(c) An isolationist plan.
(d) A state-centric plan.

2. Why did many delegates support one resolution to this question?
(a) To limit the independence of the federal government.
(b) To reduce the federal government's power.
(c) To avoid dissension.
(d) To cater to the states' needs.

3. What kind of rulers did James Madison believe the country needed?
(a) Old world aristocrats.
(b) Leaders with frontier experience.
(c) Innocent, smart individuals.
(d) Wise, virtuous individuals.

4. What complaints were lodged against the proposal to elect Senators in state legislatures?
(a) It would create a plutocracy.
(b) It would give too much power to large states.
(c) It would dissipate federal power among the states.
(d) It would over-represent the small states.

5. What did George Mason argue in the debate of June 4?
(a) He argued for a unified executive.
(b) He argued against a unified executive.
(c) He argued for an appointed executive.
(d) He argued for an elected executive.

6. What did Edmund Randolph present to the delegates?
(a) Articles of Confederation.
(b) The Great Compromise.
(c) The New Jersey Plan.
(d) The Virginia Plan.

7. What thoughts did Mr. Madison express on the topic of elections during debate at the convention?
(a) He said that elections are a step in dissolving government.
(b) He said that elections are essential for free government.
(c) He said that elections could be bought too easily to be trusted.
(d) He said that elections are too important to trust to the people.

8. What subject were the delegates debating in Chapter 6?
(a) Whether the federal government should oversee state laws.
(b) Who should be eligible to vote in elections.
(c) Whether government officers should receive pay.
(d) Whether the executive should be singular or plural.

9. What was James Madison's feeling about the compromise?
(a) He felt that the convention was sacrificing large states to small states.
(b) He felt that the convention was sacrificing federalism to distributed power.
(c) He felt that the convention was striking the right balance.
(d) He felt that the convention was sacrificing justice for the small states.

10. What did James Madison argue during the argument over representation by person or by state?
(a) Popular sovereignty argued for representation by person.
(b) Fairness argued for representation by state.
(c) The populace would not be served by state representatives.
(d) The ruling classes would benefit by representation by state.

11. Why did Mr. Wilson prefer the New Jersey Plan?
(a) Because it protected America from European influence.
(b) Because it provided multiple legislative houses.
(c) Because it provided for a standing army.
(d) Because it centralized power in the executive.

12. What did the New Jersey Plan allow the federal government to do?
(a) Support a Supreme Court.
(b) Tax intra-state commerce.
(c) Regulate slavery.
(d) Maintain a standing army.

13. What was cut out when the Constitutional Convention doted down part of the Virginia Plan?
(a) Congress's ability to regulate interstate trade.
(b) Congress's ability to vote down state laws.
(c) Congress's ability to impose state taxes.
(d) Congress's ability to declare war.

14. What opinion bolstered Mr. Sherman's view about where election should take place?
(a) He believed that people could be trusted with self-governance.
(b) He believed that the populace could be misled.
(c) He believed that small states needed equal representation.
(d) He believed in a strong democracy.

15. How many branches of government did Mr. Madison propose be elected?
(a) He proposed that all government positions should be elected.
(b) Three.
(c) At least one.
(d) Two.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did the New Jersey Plan resolve the question of the relationship of state laws to federal laws?

2. Which form of government includes a representative government without hereditary privilege?

3. What reason did delegates give for Senators being elected in state legislatures?

4. What did a legitimate government require, in James Madison's opinion?

5. What kind of political thought was flourishing in the 1770s in America?

(see the answer keys)

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