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Questions and Answers

What is a key feature of the Virginia Plan proposed during the convention?

It allowed states to select senators through popular vote.

It mandated representatives to serve unlimited terms.

It called for equal representation for all states.

It suggested a bicameral legislature based on population. (correct)

How did the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan?

It required multiple elections for each term.

It favored representation based on population.

It called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation. (correct)

It proposed a two-house legislature.

What was a major disagreement among the delegates regarding representation?

The method of electing the president.

The inclusion of a bill of rights in the new constitution.

Whether to abolish slavery immediately.

The structure of the government based on state populations. (correct)

Which plan retained the unicameral Congress existing under the Articles of Confederation?

New Jersey Plan Signup and view all the answers

What important power did Congress lack under the New Jersey Plan without state consent?

The ability to impose taxes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the debates that took place in Philadelphia in 1787?

The U.S. Constitution was created to address various conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major reason for the call to the convention in Philadelphia in 1787?

To revise the Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

Which concern did delegates have regarding the balance of power in the new government?

Too much power for the legislative branch could lead to tyranny Signup and view all the answers

What was a central issue concerning the representation of states in the new government?

The need for equal representation regardless of state population Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of Shays' Rebellion on the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

It highlighted the need for a stronger federal response to civil unrest Signup and view all the answers

Which conflicting interest was prevalent among the delegates regarding state autonomy?

The wish to maintain state independence while ensuring collective cooperation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following outlines a key compromise achieved during the Constitutional Convention?

The establishment of a federal government with limited powers over states Signup and view all the answers

What position did delegates who supported the New Jersey Plan take regarding individual liberties?

They advocated for strong state governments to safeguard individual rights Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the powers retained by states under the New Jersey Plan?

States retained significant power, including the ability to influence national laws Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the New Jersey Plan was designed to address fears of a powerful national government?

A unicameral Congress with restricted national powers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Development of the Constitution

In 1786, Virginia and Maryland invited delegates from other states to meet in Annapolis to revise Articles of Confederation.
Only five states sent representatives.
The Annapolis convention did not succeed due to the requirement of unanimous agreement among all thirteen states.
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison requested all states send delegates to a Philadelphia convention the following year to revise the Articles.
All states except Rhode Island sent delegates to the Philadelphia convention.
The Philadelphia convention met in 1787 to create a new government, as the shortcomings of the Articles proved insurmountable.
Fifty-five delegates convened in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the Constitutional Convention, aiming to strengthen the national government while respecting state autonomy.
Delegates feared creating a powerful national government.
Concerns existed regarding individual liberties and law and order.
Representation was a key point of contention, with small states fearing being overshadowed by large states.
Slavery was a divisive issue, with southern states wanting to protect it and northern states opposing it.
A compromise regarding the structure of Congress was crucial for settling the disputes between small states and large states.
The delegates' disagreements stemmed from conflicting desires regarding the role and authority of the national government.

The Question of Representation

Delegates from large states like New York and Virginia advocated for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.
Small states, like Delaware, opposed the Virginia Plan and proposed the New Jersey Plan, advocating for a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.
The Great Compromise resolved the conflict by establishing a bicameral Congress with a Senate (equal representation per state) and a House of Representatives (representation based on population).
The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.
The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation per state.

Slavery and Freedom

Northern states had begun abolishing or gradually emancipating enslaved people following the Revolution.
Southern states opposed abolishing slavery.
The Constitution protected slavery, delaying its abolition until 1808.
The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for apportionment and taxation purposes.

Federal Supremacy vs. State Sovereignty

National power was a debated issue. Powerful central government supporters stressed the need for effective governing for a nation that demanded more than the Articles could offer.
Concerns were raised about the potential for a too-powerful national government encroaching on the rights of individual states and citizens.
The Constitution established a federal system of government, dividing power between the national and state governments. (Reserved Powers)
The Constitution established the supremacy of the federal government (supreme law of the land) in case of conflict.
Federal powers were expressly delegated, while other powers were reserved for the states.
Article VI of the Constitution established the supremacy of federal laws and treaties.

Compromise and the Constitution's Design

The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia addressed disagreements over structure and power, creating a new form of government and a blueprint for the United States.
The final document (the Constitution) solved many of the problems of the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution resolved the conflicts between small and large states, northern and southern states, and those who favored a strong federal government and those who argued for state sovereignty.
The delegates compromised on various issues to create a working framework for the nation.

Separation of Powers

The Constitution established three branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial).
Each branch had distinct powers, checking and balancing the power of the others to prevent potential tyranny.
The system of checks and balances prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Congress, Executive and Judicial branches each have different powers and limitations.

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Description

Explore the key events leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, from the Annapolis Convention to the Philadelphia Convention. Understand the challenges faced by the delegates and the goals they aimed to achieve in establishing a stronger national government. This quiz covers the historical context and significance of these formative events.

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