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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What did Mr. Williamson advocate for the term length on the election or appointment of the executive?
(a) Seven year terms for the executive, with a chance of reelection
(b) Lifetime appointments for the executive.
(c) Seven year terms for the executive, without reelection.
(d) Four year terms for the executive, with a chance of reelection.

3. What did "Federal Farmer" say the current Constitution would lead to?
(a) Aristocracy.
(b) Tyranny.
(c) Chaos.
(d) Tyranny of the mass.

4. What were supporters of the residency requirement for citizenship afraid of?
(a) They were afraid that the states would be able to suppress immigrant votes.
(b) They were afraid that the national interest would be subverted by foreigners.
(c) They were afraid that uneducated people would vote in large numbers.
(d) They were afraid that immigrants would send too much money back to their homelands.

5. What did James Wilson argue concerning the question of taxation?
(a) He argued that the European nations were taxed more heavily.
(b) He argued that the government would use tax money wisely.
(c) He argued that it would result in better services.
(d) He argued that it was necessary.

6. Who was "Brutus"?
(a) Robert Yates, probably.
(b) No one knows for sure.
(c) Melancton Smith.
(d) A Massachusetts anti-Federalist.

7. What reason did Alexander Hamilton give for ratification of the Constitution?
(a) Good government needs to be deliberative.
(b) Good government cannot compete with subordinate governments.
(c) Good government needs to be representative.
(d) Good government needs to be energetic.

8. What was the Pennsylvania dissenters' primary objection to the Constitution?
(a) The lack of restrictions on the government's ability to tax the people.
(b) A free government cannot govern so large and disparate an area.
(c) The strength of the federal government.
(d) The lack of a bill of rights.

9. What compromise did Mr. Gerry want to reject regarding the ratification of the Constitution?
(a) The compromise over slavery.
(b) The Great Compromise.
(c) The Missouri Compromise.
(d) The three-fifths compromise.

10. What position was James Wilson asked to take in the Constitutional debate?
(a) He was asked to promote revisions of the Constitution.
(b) He was asked to argue for additions to the Constitution.
(c) He was asked to defend the Constitution.
(d) He was asked to attack opponents of the Constitution.

11. Which delegate expressed his regrets about not signing the Constitution?
(a) Mr. Gerry.
(b) Mr. Hamilton.
(c) Mr. Mason.
(d) Mr. Williamson.

12. What did Massachusetts propose in its ratification process?
(a) Restrictions on alcohol sales.
(b) Restrictions on the standing army.
(c) Freedom of speech.
(d) Restrictions on taxation power.

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

14. What was Mr. Gerry's fear regarding the ratification of the Constitution?
(a) He feared that the states were not equally represented.
(b) He feared that Senators' terms are too long.
(c) He feared that his constituents would not ratify the draft.
(d) He feared that Congress did not have enough power to check the executive.

15. Which party did James Wilson belong to?
(a) Tory.
(b) Federalist.
(c) Anti-Federalist.
(d) Whig.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

4. What limitation did delegates try to place on suffrage?

5. Who was the "Federal Farmer"?

(see the answer keys)

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