Question 1

The Articles of Confederation left Congress unable to

Accepted Answer

A)  organize development of the western lands. 
B)  deal with foreign affairs. 
C)  apportion state representation equally. 
D)  enforce a tax-collection program. 
E)  establish a postal service. 
A)  organize development of the western lands. 
B)  deal with foreign affairs. 
C)  apportion state representation equally. 
D)  enforce a tax-collection program. 
E)  establish a postal service. D

Question 2

By the time the Constitution was adopted in 1789

Accepted Answer

A)  the American economy was continuing to experience problems. 
B)  prosperity was beginning to return. 
C)  foreign trade was still in terrible shape. 
D)  inflation was continuing to increase. 
E)  the issue of states' rights had all but disappeared. 
A)  the American economy was continuing to experience problems. 
B)  prosperity was beginning to return. 
C)  foreign trade was still in terrible shape. 
D)  inflation was continuing to increase. 
E)  the issue of states' rights had all but disappeared. B

Question 3

Write your definition of democracy.Then use this definition to evaluate the Constitution as it was penned in 1787.In what ways was it a democratic document, and in what ways did it guard against democracy?

Accepted Answer

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives. It is characterized by principles of equality, freedom of speech and assembly, and the protection of individual rights.

When evaluating the Constitution as it was penned in 1787, it is clear that it was a democratic document in some ways, but also guarded against democracy in others.

The Constitution established a system of representative democracy, in which the people elect officials to make decisions on their behalf. This aligns with the principle of democracy, as it allows for the people to have a voice in their government. Additionally, the Constitution included provisions for the protection of individual rights, such as the Bill of Rights, which further reflects democratic values.

However, the Constitution also included measures to guard against pure democracy. For example, the Electoral College was established as a way to indirectly elect the President, rather than relying solely on a popular vote. This was a safeguard against the potential for a "tyranny of the majority" and allowed for a more balanced and deliberative process in selecting the nation's leader. Additionally, the Senate was originally elected by state legislatures, rather than by the people directly, which was another measure to temper the influence of pure democracy.

Overall, the Constitution of 1787 can be seen as a democratic document in its establishment of a representative government and protection of individual rights, but it also included measures to guard against the potential downsides of pure democracy.

Question 4

After the Revolutionary War, both Britain and Spain

Accepted Answer

A)  tried to gain control of Florida. 
B)  did their best to win the friendship of America. 
C)  prevented America from exercising effective control over about half of its total territory. 
D)  helped America to fight the pirates in North America. 
E)  abandoned their fortifications in the Old Northwest. 
A)  tried to gain control of Florida. 
B)  did their best to win the friendship of America. 
C)  prevented America from exercising effective control over about half of its total territory. 
D)  helped America to fight the pirates in North America. 
E)  abandoned their fortifications in the Old Northwest.

Question 5

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress

Accepted Answer

A)  was specifically designed to have limited authority and power to regulate political and economic affairs in the states. 
B)  had no control over public land policy. 
C)  had no power to regulate commerce. 
D)  had no tax-collecting authority. 
E)  acted in a judicial as well as legislative capacity. 
A)  was specifically designed to have limited authority and power to regulate political and economic affairs in the states. 
B)  had no control over public land policy. 
C)  had no power to regulate commerce. 
D)  had no tax-collecting authority. 
E)  acted in a judicial as well as legislative capacity.

Question 6

Had you been a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, how would you have voted on such issues as representation, taxation, regulation of commerce, and the slave trade? Why?

Accepted Answer

As a delegate to the Constitutional Conv

Question 7

The new Constitution established the idea that the only legitimate government was one based on

Accepted Answer

A)  a strong central government. 
B)  an unwritten constitution. 
C)  the authority of the state. 
D)  control by wealthier people. 
E)  the consent of the governed. 
A)  a strong central government. 
B)  an unwritten constitution. 
C)  the authority of the state. 
D)  control by wealthier people. 
E)  the consent of the governed.

Question 8

The delegate whose contributions to the Philadelphia Convention were so notable that he has been called the "Father of the Constitution" was

Accepted Answer

A)  George Washington. 
B)  Benjamin Franklin. 
C)  James Madison. 
D)  Thomas Jefferson. 
E)  Patrick Henry. 
A)  George Washington. 
B)  Benjamin Franklin. 
C)  James Madison. 
D)  Thomas Jefferson. 
E)  Patrick Henry.

Question 9

Early signs of the abolitionist movement can be seen in the

Accepted Answer

A)  Articles of Confederation. 
B)  Constitution. 
C)  emancipation of some slaves. 
D)  passage of laws allowing interracial marriage. 
E)  abolition of slavery in a few southern states. 
A)  Articles of Confederation. 
B)  Constitution. 
C)  emancipation of some slaves. 
D)  passage of laws allowing interracial marriage. 
E)  abolition of slavery in a few southern states.

Question 10

Antifederalists believe that the sovereignty of the people resided in which branch of the central government?

Accepted Answer

A)  Executive 
B)  Legislative 
C)  Judicial 
D)  Cabinet 
E)  All of these 
A)  Executive 
B)  Legislative 
C)  Judicial 
D)  Cabinet 
E)  All of these

Question 11

Which of the following Revolutionary leaders was not present at the Constitutional Convention?

Accepted Answer

A)  Thomas Jefferson 
B)  Benjamin Franklin 
C)  James Madison 
D)  George Washington 
E)  Alexander Hamilton 
A)  Thomas Jefferson 
B)  Benjamin Franklin 
C)  James Madison 
D)  George Washington 
E)  Alexander Hamilton

Question 12

Major goals of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention included

Accepted Answer

A)  careful revision of each article of the Articles of Confederation. 
B)  preservation of the Union. 
C)  creation of a stronger national government. 
D)  restricting popular democracy in several states. 
E)  outlawing slavery. 
A)  careful revision of each article of the Articles of Confederation. 
B)  preservation of the Union. 
C)  creation of a stronger national government. 
D)  restricting popular democracy in several states. 
E)  outlawing slavery.

Question 13

The Continental Congress in ____ called for the complete abolition of the slave trade, a summons to which most of the states responded positively.

Accepted Answer

A)  1770 
B)  1772 
C)  1774 
D)  1776 
E)  1780 
A)  1770 
B)  1772 
C)  1774 
D)  1776 
E)  1780

Question 14

Thomas Jefferson once said he believed that "all the good" of the new Constitution might have been accomplished by simply amending the Articles of Confederation.According to the text's authors, it is probably a good thing that the Founders did not merely amend the Articles of Confederation.With which position do you agree? Why?

Accepted Answer

I agree with the position that it was a

Question 15

Under the Constitution, the president of the United States was to be elected by a majority vote of the

Accepted Answer

A)  general public. 
B)  Senate. 
C)  Electoral College. 
D)  House of Representatives. 
E)  state legislatures. 
A)  general public. 
B)  Senate. 
C)  Electoral College. 
D)  House of Representatives. 
E)  state legislatures.

Question 16

All of the following are true statements about the status of blacks during the Revolutionary era except

Accepted Answer

A)  several northern states abolished slavery or provided for gradual emancipation. 
B)  a few Virginia masters freed their slaves. 
C)  no states south of Pennsylvania outlawed slavery. 
D)  many states passed laws that permitted blacks to marry and own land. 
E)  laws in the North and the South harshly discriminated against free and enslaved blacks. 
A)  several northern states abolished slavery or provided for gradual emancipation. 
B)  a few Virginia masters freed their slaves. 
C)  no states south of Pennsylvania outlawed slavery. 
D)  many states passed laws that permitted blacks to marry and own land. 
E)  laws in the North and the South harshly discriminated against free and enslaved blacks.

Question 17

Motives of the delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia included all of the following except to

Accepted Answer

A)  preserve the union. 
B)  forestall anarchy. 
C)  ensure the security of life and property. 
D)  curb unrestrained democracy. 
E)  foster the popular democracy and uprisings occurring in the various states. 
A)  preserve the union. 
B)  forestall anarchy. 
C)  ensure the security of life and property. 
D)  curb unrestrained democracy. 
E)  foster the popular democracy and uprisings occurring in the various states.

Question 18

Which of the following represents a political compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that was incorporated into the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Counting all slaves fully as a person in apportioning membership in the House 
B)  Short-term continuation of the foreign slave trade before Congress could abolish this controversial form of human commerce 
C)  Direct election of the president 
D)  Control of interstate commerce by the national government 
E)  Prohibiting states from abolishing slavery in their respective states 
A)  Counting all slaves fully as a person in apportioning membership in the House 
B)  Short-term continuation of the foreign slave trade before Congress could abolish this controversial form of human commerce 
C)  Direct election of the president 
D)  Control of interstate commerce by the national government 
E)  Prohibiting states from abolishing slavery in their respective states

Question 19

By their actions, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention manifested their common beliefs in all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A)  government by the consent of the governed. 
B)  checks and balances in government. 
C)  manhood-suffrage democracy. 
D)  the sanctity of private property. 
E)  a stronger central government. 
A)  government by the consent of the governed. 
B)  checks and balances in government. 
C)  manhood-suffrage democracy. 
D)  the sanctity of private property. 
E)  a stronger central government.

Question 20

In keeping with the spirit, if not the actual wording of the Declaration of Independence's affirmation that  "All men are created equal," most states ____ property-holding requirements for voting.

Accepted Answer

A)  kept the same 
B)  reduced 
C)  raised 
D)  ignored 
E)  raised significantly 
A)  kept the same 
B)  reduced 
C)  raised 
D)  ignored 
E)  raised significantly

Exam 9: The Confederation and the Constitution, 1776-1790

The Articles of Confederation left Congress unable to

By the time the Constitution was adopted in 1789

Write your definition of democracy.Then use this definition to evaluate the Constitution as it was penned in 1787.In what ways was it a democratic document, and in what ways did it guard against democracy?

After the Revolutionary War, both Britain and Spain

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress

Had you been a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, how would you have voted on such issues as representation, taxation, regulation of commerce, and the slave trade? Why?

The new Constitution established the idea that the only legitimate government was one based on

The delegate whose contributions to the Philadelphia Convention were so notable that he has been called the "Father of the Constitution" was

Early signs of the abolitionist movement can be seen in the

Antifederalists believe that the sovereignty of the people resided in which branch of the central government?

Which of the following Revolutionary leaders was not present at the Constitutional Convention?

Major goals of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention included

The Continental Congress in ____ called for the complete abolition of the slave trade, a summons to which most of the states responded positively.

Under the Constitution, the president of the United States was to be elected by a majority vote of the

All of the following are true statements about the status of blacks during the Revolutionary era except

Motives of the delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia included all of the following except to

Which of the following represents a political compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that was incorporated into the Constitution?

By their actions, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention manifested their common beliefs in all of the following except

In keeping with the spirit, if not the actual wording of the Declaration of Independence's affirmation that "All men are created equal," most states ____ property-holding requirements for voting.

New World Beginnings, 33,000 B.C.E.-1769 C.E.

The Planting of English America, 1500-1733

Settling the Northern Colonies, 1619-1700

American Life in the Seventeenth Century, 1607-1692

Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700-1775

The Duel for North America, 1608-1763

The Road to Revolution, 1763-1775

America Secedes from the Empire, 1775-1783

Launching the New Ship of State, 1789-1800

The Triumphs and Travails of the Jeffersonian Republic, 1800-1812

The Second War for Independence and the Upsurge of Nationalism, 1812-1824

The Rise of a Mass Democracy, 1824-1840

Forging the National Economy, 1790-1860

The Ferment of Reform and Culture, 1790-1860

The South and the Slavery Controversy, 1793-1860

Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy, 1841-1848

Renewing the Sectional Struggle, 1848-1854

Drifting Toward Disunion, 1854-1861

Girding for War: The North and the South, 1861-1865

The Furnace of Civil War, 1861-1865

The Ordeal of Reconstruction, 1865-1877

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