Question 1

Major goals of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention included
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.

Accepted Answer

The delegates aimed to preserve the Union by creating a stronger national government, as the Articles of Confederation were too weak. They also sought to restrict popular democracy to prevent potential mob rule. Outlawing slavery was not a major goal at the time.

Question 2

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

The answer of Had you been a delegate to the...

Question 3

The disruptive forces that produced a shaky start toward union of the states immediately following the Revolutionary War included
A) the absence of the unifying element of a common cause.
B) an economic recession in the colonies.
C) the fact that each of the thirteen states had its own unique governmental structure.
D) the absence of any really effective political leaders.
E) slavery.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The disruptive forces that produced a shaky...

Question 4

Assume that the Constitution had not been ratified by the state conventions. What do you think would have been the short- and long-term consequences?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assume that the Constitution had not been...

Question 5

Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, especially in regard to the specific powers granted by each to the national government.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation...

Question 6

Most of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were
A) relatively well-to-do.
B) appointed by state legislatures.
C) elected by vote of property owners in each state.
D) experienced at writing constitutions.
E) lawyers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most of the delegates to the Constitutional...

Question 7

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

The answer of Write your definition of democracy. Then use...

Question 8

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress
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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress
A) was...

Question 9

Under the Articles of Confederation
A) a unicameral Congress was to be the chief agency of national government.
B) there was no executive branch of national government.
C) each state remained essentially sovereign.
D) major legislation required a two-thirds vote to pass Congress.
E) a strong national judiciary was established.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the Articles of Confederation
A) a unicameral...

Question 10

The Revolutionary War and political independence for the United States
A) stimulated American manufacturing.
B) encouraged a more widespread respect for private property.
C) produced runaway inflation in many states.
D) stimulated a wave of speculation and profiteering in the nation.
E) saw America remain mostly a nation of farmers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Revolutionary War and political independence for...

Question 11

Had you been a delegate to the Virginia state convention, charged with considering ratification of the Constitution, would you have voted to ratify the Constitution? Had you been a delegate to the New Hampshire state convention, charged with considering ratification of the Constitution, would you have voted to ratify the Constitution? Defend your ratification decisions in each case.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Had you been a delegate to the...

Question 12

During the Revolutionary War, many states
A) eliminated inheritance laws like primogeniture.
B) extended the right to vote to adult women.
C) reduced property requirements for voting.
D) disestablished the Anglican Church.
E) outlawed the importation of indentured servants.

Accepted Answer

During the Revolutionary War, many states sought to reform laws to reflect republican values. They eliminated inheritance laws like primogeniture (A), reduced property requirements for voting (C), and disestablished the Anglican Church to separate church and state (D). However, they did not extend voting rights to women (B) or outlaw the importation of indentured servants (E) during this period.

Question 13

List all the reasons why the Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced in order of importance, starting with the most important reason. Justify your selection and arrangement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List all the reasons why the Articles...

Question 14

According to the text's authors, "In some respects, the hated British Navigation Laws were more disagreeable after independence than before." What is the basis for their conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text's authors, "In some...

Question 15

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

The answer of Thomas Jefferson once said he believed that...

Question 16

Why didn't the framers of the Constitution extend the Revolutionary War era spirit of equality and liberty to the abolition of slavery and giving women the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why didn't the framers of the Constitution...

Question 17

Most, if not all, of the new state constitutionsenacted in the 1780s
A) were written documents intended to represent a fundamental law, superior to ordinary statutory legislation.
B) lacked a specific bill of rights.
C) required the annual election of state legislators.
D) granted the state legislatures more power than governors.
E) created weak executive and judicial branches.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most, if not all, of the new...

Question 18

Discuss and evaluate the role that the Anglo-American common law tradition played in the substantive and procedural content, structure, and length of the U.S. Constitution. Contrast these elements of the U.S. Constitution with existing state constitutions and with foreign constitutions, where civil law prevailed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss and evaluate the role that the...

Question 19

One of the enduring paradoxes of American history is that
A) conservatives supported democracy.
B) liberals supported democracy.
C) both radicals and conservatives have championed the heritage of democratic revolution.
D) conservatives and liberals were on opposite sides in the Revolution.
E) conservatives opposed democracy.

Accepted Answer

Both radicals and conservatives have historically claimed to support the principles of democratic revolution, despite having different interpretations and approaches to democracy.

Question 20

Thomas Jefferson observed that "173 despots would surely be as oppressive as one." What was the context of his remark? What was Jefferson warning against?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Thomas Jefferson observed that "173 despots would...

Quiz 8: The Confederation and the Constitution

Major goals of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention included

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 disruptive forces that produced a shaky start toward union of the states immediately following the Revolutionary War included

Assume that the Constitution had not been ratified by the state conventions. What do you think would have been the short- and long-term consequences?

Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, especially in regard to the specific powers granted by each to the national government.

Most of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were

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?

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress

Under the Articles of Confederation

The Revolutionary War and political independence for the United States

During the Revolutionary War, many states

List all the reasons why the Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced in order of importance, starting with the most important reason. Justify your selection and arrangement.

According to the text's authors, "In some respects, the hated British Navigation Laws were more disagreeable after independence than before." What is the basis for their conclusion?

Why didn't the framers of the Constitution extend the Revolutionary War era spirit of equality and liberty to the abolition of slavery and giving women the right to vote?

Most, if not all, of the new state constitutionsenacted in the 1780s

One of the enduring paradoxes of American history is that

Thomas Jefferson observed that "173 despots would surely be as oppressive as one." What was the context of his remark? What was Jefferson warning against?