Constitutional Convention and Treaty of Paris Quiz

The central government under the Articles of Confederation lacked the authority to impose taxes.

Under the Articles, the states were reluctant to share their money with the central government, making it difficult to fund operations.

The process of passing laws under the Articles of Confederation was complex, leading to frequent disagreements and stalled decision-making.

The Articles of Confederation lacked the power to establish and maintain a permanent army, making it difficult to defend the nation.

These weaknesses ultimately contributed to the failure of the Articles of Confederation and its replacement by the United States Constitution.

After signing the Declaration of Independence, the colonists were no longer part of England and didn't have their support.

The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing the independence of the thirteen American colonies.

The Declaration of Independence led Americans to think deeply about how they wanted to govern themselves.

The British were forced to acknowledge the independence of the American colonies through the Treaty of Paris.

Signing the Declaration of Independence was a risky move, as the signers could have been punished with death for treason.

Treason is the act of betraying one's country.

The treaty stated that Loyalists, who had supported the British during the war, would have their property returned to them. However, this part of the treaty was not fully enforced.

The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war, but the issue of Loyalist property caused tension and disagreement.

The colonists hoped to gain independence from England by signing the Declaration of Independence.

The Treaty of Paris was significant because it established the United States as an independent nation and marked the end of the American Revolution.

Also known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World," this marked the start of the American Revolution. It was a fight between colonists and British soldiers.

This battle was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. The American victory persuaded France to join the war on their side, providing crucial military support.

These battles were important victories for George Washington and the Continental Army, boosting American morale and encouraging them to continue fighting.

This was the final battle of the American Revolution. The American forces, aided by the French, forced the British to surrender.

These battles, with their strategic importance, helped shape the course of the American Revolution, each marking a turning point in the struggle for independence.

A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that favored smaller states, calling for a one-house legislature with equal representation for each state.

A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that favored larger states, calling for a two-house legislature with representation based on population.

The New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan were both proposed during the Constitutional Convention. They represented different ideologies and goals regarding state representation in the new government.

The creation of a two-house legislature: the Senate, with equal representation for each state, and the House of Representatives, with representation based on population.

The ability of a state to make and enforce its own laws, without interference from the federal government.

An agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.

A compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that determined enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation.

A bicameral legislature consists of two separate chambers.

The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of Congress.

The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress.

The group of electors chosen by each state who vote for the President and Vice President of the United States.

Each state gets electors equal to the number of senators (2) plus the number of Representatives in the House.

The candidate who receives a majority of the Electoral College votes (at least 270 out of 538) wins the presidency.

The Electoral College was designed to ensure the election of a president with broad national support, rather than just winning the most popular votes.

The Electoral College system has been criticized for its potential to elect a president who did not win the popular vote.

This law forbade slavery in new territories. It was also significant because it showed that the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation could still accomplish things.

This first attempt at a government in the new United States gave more power to the individual states than to the central government. This led to many issues, such as states not cooperating on issues like taxation.

It officially ended the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the newly independent, United States.

The Northwest Ordinance was the first attempt to incorporate new territories and create a plan for government in the new United States. This was significant because it showed that the Articles of Confederation could still get things done.

One important challenge was the issue of slavery. The new nation was divided on the subject. The decision to outlaw slavery in the Northwest Territory was controversial.

Supporters of the US Constitution who believed a strong national government was necessary to unify the states and address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Opponents of the US Constitution who feared a powerful central government and advocated for strong state rights; they wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

The document outlining the structure and powers of the US federal government, establishing a system of checks and balances to prevent tyranny and promoting a balance between individual rights and national unity.

A set of amendments to the US Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms to individuals, such as freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns about government overreach.

The Northwest Ordinance, passed under the Articles of Confederation, outlawed slavery in new territories, demonstrating the government's ability to achieve progress even without a strong central structure.

The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states, reflecting smaller state concerns about being overshadowed by larger states. This plan aimed to maintain power parity among states.

The Virginia Plan, a proposal for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population, favored larger states with greater representation and influence. It aimed to create a more effective federal system, but smaller states feared losing power.

The Constitutional Convention was a gathering of delegates from the thirteen states to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and establish a new form of government. It involved debates and negotiations over key issues including representation, slavery, and power balance.

The Constitutional Convention involved significant debate and compromise, leading to agreements like the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise), which established a bicameral legislature with a Senate based on equal representation for all states and a House of Representatives with representation based on population. This addressed concerns from both large and small states.