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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Rhode Island propose in its ratification process?
(a) To give the people freedom of speech.
(b) To give the people the right to bear arms.
(c) To expand the government's ability to tax.
(d) To give the states the right to appoint politicians.

2. What did "Centinel" argue on the danger of checks and balances?
(a) He argued that checks and balances would make the government slow to respond to military threats.
(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 obscure corruption and tyranny.

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

4. What threat did Mr. Pinckney make if Congress has power to restrict the slave trade?
(a) To march on Washington.
(b) To withhold ratification.
(c) To filibuster.
(d) To secede.

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

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

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

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

9. Who was the "Federal Farmer"?
(a) Horace DeWitt.
(b) Mr. Mason.
(c) Melancton Smith.
(d) James Madison.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was "Brutus"?

2. What did "Federal Farmer" say the framers of the Constitution ultimately wanted?

3. What was DeWitt arguing against in his essays?

4. What compromise did the Northeast states reach with Georgia and South Carolina over slavery?

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

(see the answer keys)

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