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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Patrick Henry say was the end of government?
(a) Education.
(b) Liberty.
(c) Self-reliance.
(d) Happiness.

2. What did Mr. Pinckney think about slavery?
(a) That it was morally legitimate.
(b) That it was reprehensible.
(c) That it was the rock on which the nation could founder.
(d) That it was a practical matter of power.

3. What compromise did the Northeast states reach with Georgia and South Carolina over slavery?
(a) New England would not restrict slavery if the southern states will not require 2/3 majority to pass commercial restrictions.
(b) Northern states will regulate slavery if southern states will have lower tariffs on exported raw materials.
(c) That northern states will not regulate slavery for fifty years, if southern states will abolish it themselves in that time.
(d) That northern states will legalize slavery if southern states will prohibit importation of slaves.

4. What did "Brutus" say about the danger of trying to govern a large area?
(a) It would be expensive and inefficient.
(b) It would require too many bureaucrats.
(c) It would create tyranny.
(d) It would lead to wars.

5. What position did "Federal Farmer" take concerning the Constitution?
(a) He thought it centralized power too much.
(b) He was not sure it created the right government.
(c) He thought that it preserved too much power in the states.
(d) He thought it left the states with too many contradictory obligations regarding the federal government.

6. What did James Wilson argue regarding the abolition of trial by jury at the federal level?
(a) He said it was not a general problem.
(b) He said that it would be compensated by strong protections at the state level.
(c) He said that there would not be many cases where this applied.
(d) He said that trial by military tribunal was just as fair.

7. What did Mr. Sherman advocate about executive veto power?
(a) He said that the executive veto power should be limited.
(b) He said that the executive should have veto power over the legislature, but not the judiciary.
(c) He said that the executive should have absolute veto.
(d) He said that the executive should not have a veto.

8. What was the vote tally when the Pennsylvania Convention voted on the Constitution?
(a) 51-18.
(b) 36-33.
(c) 46-23.
(d) 35-34.

9. What did "Federal Farmer" argue regarding the separation of powers?
(a) That it would encourage lawsuits.
(b) That it was disconnected from the popular will.
(c) That it would slow the government's response to events.
(d) That it would hide government corruption.

10. What did "Federal Farmer" say the framers of the Constitution ultimately wanted?
(a) To subdue slavery.
(b) To abolish the states.
(c) To tax the rich.
(d) To create monarchy.

11. What fear kept the delegates from approving the Constitution draft and going home?
(a) Fear that slavery will divide the nation.
(b) Fear that Britain will ally with Spain against America.
(c) Fear that the states are conspiring against the federal government.
(d) Fear that the federal government has too much power.

12. What did "Centinel" argue on the danger of a centralized government?
(a) States will have to fend for themselves if they oppose the national government.
(b) Taxation will be worse with a central tax collector.
(c) Class mobility will decrease, as the central government raises taxes.
(d) The Constitution will threaten liberty.

13. Where else did the question of proposing limitations arise, besides the debate over suffrage?
(a) Requirements for serving in the military.
(b) Qualifications for owning property.
(c) Qualifications for holding office.
(d) Qualifications for traveling abroad.

14. What did "Brutus" argue in his letters?
(a) That the framers wanted to abolish the states.
(b) That the nation was too big for a central government.
(c) That the Supreme Court had too much power.
(d) That the government will be weak on military defense.

15. What did "Federal Farmer" see as a danger in the Constitution?
(a) Its powers were not listed explicitly.
(b) It prevented the states from adapting to political conditions.
(c) It reserved the right to be amended over time.
(d) It would be protected by soldiers who were paid by the federal government.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Massachusetts propose in its ratification process?

2. What did Gouverneur Morris advocate about executive veto power?

3. What powers did Mr. Mason argue the federal judiciary should not have?

4. What method of ratification did Mason and Madison advocate?

5. How many delegates signed the Constitution?

(see the answer keys)

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