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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. Which committee recommendation did not make it into the Constitution?
(a) The Senate should choose the President in case of a tie in the Electoral College.
(b) Senate can amend budget bills.
(c) The Electoral College.
(d) Four year terms for President and vice-President.

5. What was DeWitt arguing against in his essays?
(a) Taxation.
(b) An executive for life.
(c) Energetic central government.
(d) Representation by state.

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

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

8. What was James Wilson calling for in his speech to the Pennsylvania legislature?
(a) States rights.
(b) Ratification of the Constitution.
(c) Revision of the Constitution.
(d) Judiciary oversight of the executive.

9. What did "Centinel" argue on the danger of checks and balances?
(a) He argued that checks and balances would obscure corruption and tyranny.
(b) He argued that checks and balances would create an endless torrent of inter-branch lawsuits.
(c) He argued that checks and balances would paralyze the government.
(d) He argued that checks and balances would make the government slow to respond to military threats.

10. What did Madison advocate concerning the election or appointment of the executive?
(a) Appointment by the Supreme Court would be best.
(b) Election by Congress would hurt the public interest.
(c) Election by the people would hurt the public interest.
(d) Appointment by an electoral college would be best.

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

12. What limitation did delegates try to place on suffrage?
(a) National origin restrictions.
(b) Race restrictions.
(c) Literacy restrictions.
(d) Landowner restrictions.

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

14. How did Benjamin Franklin interpret the symbol on the President's chair?
(a) He saw it as a predator subduing its enemies.
(b) He saw it as a sun rising over the republic.
(c) He saw it as a symbol of commerce.
(d) He saw it as a tree withstanding the storms.

15. Who was DeWitt in reality?
(a) A Massachusetts Anti-Federalist.
(b) A Virginian Anti-Federalist.
(c) A New York Anti-Federalist.
(d) A Rhode Island Federalist.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Benjamin Franklin advocate in a speech?

2. What was the vote tally when the Pennsylvania Convention voted on the Constitution?

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

4. What did "Federal Farmer" see as a danger in the Constitution?

5. How many delegates signed the Constitution?

(see the answer keys)

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