Speech in the Convention

According to his Speech in the Convention, what is Benjamin Franklin’s

overall opinion of the proposed Constitution?

• a. He strongly disapproves of it.

• b. He considers it unimportant.

• c. He has some objections to it.

• d. He completely approves of it.

What is the main point of Benjamin Franklin’s Speech in the Convention?

• a. The Constitutional Convention should not approve the Constitution

  because the document is too weak.

• b.

  The Constitutional Convention should approve the Constitution, even though he himself cannot do so.

• c.

  The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because the document is as good as it is likely to be.

• d.

  The Constitutional Convention should support the Constitution because its framers have always been right in the past.

According to his Speech in the Convention, why does Franklin want the delegates to the Constitutional Convention to support the Constitution strongly despite any personal reservations they may have?

• a.

  because doing so guarantees that the principles of the Constitution will be administered well

• b.

  because doing so will inspire public confidence in the delegates’ leadership

• c.

  because Franklin views the document as a product of their joint wisdom

• d.

  because Franklin believes that it is a perfect document

In his Speech in the Convention, what point does Franklin make most clearly in arguing that unanimity is an important part of the representatives’ acceptance?

• a.

  Unanimity shows that the government is strong and efficient.

• b.

  Unanimity makes the work of government leaders more pleasant.

• c.

  Unanimity proves that America’s enemies have mistaken opinions.

• d.

  Unanimity speeds up the process of making decisions for the nation.

Given his statements in the Speech in the Convention, choose which of the following statements Franklin would most likely agree with.

• People should maintain their convictions no matter what opposing arguments are made.

• People should not express opinions on important topics until they are certain of the facts.

• People should keep in mind that they may be mistaken in their opinions.

• People should work on a task until it is completed perfectly.

If people are convinced of their own infallibility, which of these attitudes do they most likely display?

• a.

  They believe they are always right.

• b.

  They are shy and full of self-doubt.

• c.

  They are puzzled by complex issues.

• d.

  They have trouble making decisions.

In his Speech in the Convention, which of these views of government does Benjamin Franklin most clearly express?

• The government that governs least is best.

• Corrupt rulers breed disillusion and rebellion.

• Good governments are created by trial and error.

• Any well-run government can benefit the people.

According to Franklin in his Speech in the Convention, how will approving the Constitution affect the country’s relationships with foreign nations?

• It will frustrate the hopes of nations unfriendly to the United States.

• It will cause all other nations to be jealous of the United States.

• It will show that the United States is superior to other nations.

• It will cause all other nations to see the United States as a leader.

In his Speech in the Convention, which of the following courses of action does Franklin advise the delegates to follow?

• Allow future generations to be the ones to perfect the Constitution.

• Change the Constitution only in ways a majority of members approves.

• Try to ensure that the government the Constitution establishes is run effectively.

• Pass the Constitution even though some of its provisions should generally be ignored.

In his Speech in the Convention, Franklin states, “The opinions I have had of [the Constitution’s] errors I sacrifice to the public good.” Which of the following statements best explains why Franklin feels that it is his public duty to overlook the Constitution’s errors?

• Franklin thinks that the people should not be informed about the details of the Constitutional debates.

• Franklin considers that the people have already indicated that they want the Constitution ratified.

• Franklin believes that swift agreement on a national government will be of great benefit to the people.

• Franklin knows that the people can always replace the government if it does not function satisfactorily.