U.S. Constitution Quiz

In the period after independence, what did Congress fear about a strong central government?

• states would have too much power

• rights for which people fought would be lost

• another war would occur between Great Britain and America

• laws would be passed to prevent people from colonizing new territories

What was the long-term effect of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

• Territories eventually became states.

• The farmers of Massachusetts rebelled.

• George Washington was elected president.

• Slavery was expanded in the United States.

Why is Shays’ Rebellion an important event in U.S. history?

• It was the beginning of a civil war.

• It led to the Constitutional Convention.

• It showed the strength of the Massachusetts militia.

• It highlighted government power under the Articles.

Why is James Madison known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

• He wrote the first draft of the Constitution.

• He knew more about government than anyone else present.

• He was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

• He was the youngest delegate to the Constitutional Convention and was hip to what the people wanted.

The delegates to the Constitutional Convention agreed to establish a republic. Which of these describes a republic?

• a country led by a president

• a government led by a powerful few

• a parliamentary form of government

• a country led by elected representatives

What did the Great Compromise decide?

• representation in Congress

• the names of political parties

• the system of checks and balances

• process of selecting the president

What was the greatest concern of the opponents to the Constitution?

• taxation would be eliminated

• selection of George Washington as president

• replacement of the Articles of Confederation

• giving up state power to form a stronger Union

Which of these describes a federal system of government like that described in the U.S. Constitution?

• Government is run by one political party.

• A single leader makes all of the government decisions.

• Individual states have power over the national government.

• Power is shared by the national and state governments.

How is the Constitution organized?

• into parts called articles

• into sentences called sections

• into columns called delegations

• into paragraphs called statements

Why does each state have two senators?

• to balance the rights of large and small states

• so the Senate does not become overcrowded

• to assure there are enough people to pass the laws

• so that one can take over if the other is unavailable