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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 centralized government would distribute the wealth more effectively.
(c) He argued that checks and balances would lead to government paralysis.
(d) He argued that a central government would be more efficient than a number of state governments.

2. What was Mr. Mason's fear regarding the House of Representatives?
(a) He feared that it did not have enough power to combat the executive.
(b) He feared that it would not be able to compete with the Senate.
(c) He feared that it would be run by illiterate farmers.
(d) He feared that it was not truly representative.

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

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

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

6. What did James Madison worry about concerning ratification in the states?
(a) The states could hold the federal government hostage with no votes.
(b) The states might not act in the national interest.
(c) The states could sink the ratification process.
(d) The federal government would be powerless without unanimous ratification.

7. What method of ratification did Mason and Madison advocate?
(a) Ratification by special conventions in each state.
(b) Ratification national referendum.
(c) Ratification by state legislature.
(d) Ratification by straw poll.

8. What was Mr. Mason's fear about the Constitution as it was then drafted?
(a) He objected to the three-fifths compromise.
(b) He feared that Congress did not have enough power to check the executive.
(c) He feared that his constituents would not ratify the draft.
(d) He wanted a bill of rights.

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

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

11. What powers did Mr. Mason argue the Congress should not have?
(a) The power to recall the executive.
(b) The power to originate budget bills.
(c) The power to alter the budget.
(d) The power to reject judicial nominations.

12. What does James Madison argue on the question of suffrage?
(a) He thought that suffrage restrictions were regrettable but necessary.
(b) He thought that suffrage restrictions were a step toward monarchy.
(c) He thought that universal suffrage should triumph.
(d) He thought that universal suffrage would ruin the government.

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

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

15. What did "Brutus" say was the danger of a standing army?
(a) It created loyalty only to itself.
(b) It did not answer to the legislature.
(c) It turned countries toward tyranny.
(d) It consumed necessary resources.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Rhode Island propose in its ratification process?

2. How did Patrick Henry describe fear?

3. What symbol did Benjamin Franklin remark on, on the President's chair?

4. What did opponents to the suffrage limitation argue?

5. What did "Federal Farmer" say the current Constitution would lead to?

(see the answer keys)

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