Adoption of the US Constitution

Questions and Answers

What was the primary issue with the Articles of Confederation?

It allowed the federal government to impose taxes.

The federal government was too weak to function effectively. (correct)

It required unanimous consent to amend.

It granted extensive powers to the federal government.

What did the Virginia Plan propose regarding the legislature?

A bicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

A legislature that could only propose amendments.

A bicameral legislature with representatives based on population. (correct)

A unicameral legislature elected by state legislatures.

Who was one of the main proponents of the Virginia Plan?

James Madison (correct)

Edmund Randolph

George Washington

William Paterson

Which of the following statements about the New Jersey Plan is true?

It proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for states. Signup and view all the answers

What was a distinctive feature of the Virginia Plan in terms of representation?

The upper house would be elected by the lower house from a group selected by state legislatures. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation did the Articles of Confederation impose that caused difficulties for the federal government?

Inability to enforce laws effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the goals of the Constitutional Convention?

To draft a new constitution that addressed the weaknesses of the Articles. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant flaw in the Articles of Confederation regarding amendments?

Any single state could veto amendments. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main feature of the New Jersey Plan regarding legislative structure?

A unicameral legislature where each state had one vote Signup and view all the answers

Which plan favored large states with higher populations?

The Virginia Plan Signup and view all the answers

What does the Great Compromise entail regarding the House of Representatives?

Representation is based on state population Signup and view all the answers

Who ultimately selects judges according to the compromises made in the Constitution?

The president with the advice and consent of the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for the executive selected by the electoral college?

Four years Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan regarding the executive branch?

The presence of an executive council as opposed to a single president Signup and view all the answers

In the Senate, how are senators chosen according to the compromises made?

Chosen by each state’s legislature Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a key feature of the New Jersey Plan?

An executive council with multiple members Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of the Great Compromise on the legislative process?

It balanced representation for both large and small states. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adoption of the United States Constitution

The first governing document of the U.S. was the Articles of Confederation, which proved ineffective due to a weak federal government.
Under the Articles, the federal government lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate commerce, leading to calls for a stronger national structure.
In February 1787, a Convention was convened to propose amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention

Delegates quickly concluded that a complete replacement of the Articles was necessary.
The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison and Edmund Randolph, advocated for stronger federal authority, a bicameral legislature, and representation based on state population.
The lower house of Congress would be directly elected by the people, while the upper house would be elected by the lower house from state legislature candidates.
The New Jersey Plan was introduced by William Paterson, favoring smaller states with a unicameral legislature, where each state had one vote.
The New Jersey Plan also suggested an executive council instead of a single president and a scaled-back judiciary.
A compromise, known as the Great Compromise, resulted in a bicameral Congress:
- The House of Representatives would reflect state populations.
- The Senate would grant equal votes to each state, with senators elected by state legislatures.
The executive branch would be chosen by an electoral college and would serve renewable four-year terms.
Judges would be appointed by the president with Senate approval, clarifying ongoing debate over the appointment process.

Ratification of the Constitution

The focus shifted to persuading states to ratify the newly drafted Constitution.
The Federalists emerged to support the ratification effort, emphasizing the need for a stronger federal government to ensure stability and governance.

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Description

Explore the history and significance of the adoption of the United States Constitution. This quiz delves into the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and the reasons that led to the formation of a stronger federal government. Test your knowledge about this pivotal moment in American history.