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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What position was James Wilson asked to take in the Constitutional debate?
(a) He was asked to attack opponents 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 promote revisions of the Constitution.

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

4. What was the original proposal for the residency requirement for citizenship?
(a) American birth.
(b) 14 years residence.
(c) 7 years residence.
(d) 2 years residence.

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

6. What imbalance gave James Madison cause for worry about ratification in the states?
(a) The disparity between Northern and Southern state interests.
(b) The disparity between landowners and laborers.
(c) The disparity between East Coast states and frontier territories.
(d) The disparity between national and state interests.

7. What did "Publius" argue regarding the fear of a centralized government?
(a) He argued that large nations are less dangerous than quarrelling small states.
(b) He argued that a central government would be more efficient than a number of state governments.
(c) He argued that a centralized government would distribute the wealth more effectively.
(d) He argued that checks and balances would lead to government paralysis.

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

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

10. What did Benjamin Franklin advocate in a speech?
(a) Signing the Constitution.
(b) Revising the Constitution one more time.
(c) Sending the Constitution back to committee.
(d) Sending the Constitution to the states for ratification.

11. 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.

12. What symbol did Benjamin Franklin remark on, on the President's chair?
(a) An eagle on the seat.
(b) A sun painted on the back.
(c) An ocean and a ship.
(d) A pine tree.

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

14. What did Benjamin Franklin say about supporters of the residency requirement for citizenship?
(a) He said that delegates were understating the ease with which people assimilate into American culture.
(b) He said that delegates were cutting off sources of new talent by limiting immigration.
(c) He said that delegates were opening the floodgates to a tide of poor workers by opening restrictions on immigration.
(d) He said that delegates were exaggerating the threat of European immigration.

15. What did Gouverneur Morris advocate about executive veto power?
(a) He said that the executive veto itself should be able to be overridden.
(b) He said that the executive should not have a veto.
(c) He said that the executive should have veto power over the legislature, but not the judiciary.
(d) He said that the executive should have absolute veto.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What did "Centinel" argue on the danger of a centralized government?

3. How did James Wilson address the absence of a Bill of Rights?

4. What position did "Federal Farmer" take concerning the Constitution?

5. What argument did James Madison make concerning the fear of a centralized government?

(see the answer keys)

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