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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter Five, what situation does Madison feel is "peculiarly embarrassing"?

2. A motion on which issue opens the discussion on June 20th?

3. What does Bowen consider the most striking feature of the New Jersey Plan?

4. What type of government does Virginia's George Wythe support?

5. What question is considered at the first Saturday meeting of the quorum?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Washington concerned about the Society of the Cincinnati meeting in Philadelphia at the same time as the Convention?

2. What is the difference between the European view of the forest and the American view of the forest?

3. Why is the Sherman Compromise important?

4. What are the terms of Hamilton's plan for a republican government?

5. What are Lansing's arguments in favor of the New Jersey Plan?

6. What rules do Convention delegates agree upon?

7. Why is there a secrecy rule at the Convention?

8. Why does the Convention remove the word "national" from the first Virginia Resolve?

9. What does General Washington write about in his letters to people back home in Virginia?

10. What is the Committee of the Whole?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Bowen notes the importance of the written word for the delegates and for the final ratification of the Constitution. In a well-crafted essay, discuss the way writing is used to construct and present arguments about government and the Constitution before, during, and after the Convention.

Essay Topic 2

Some of the delegates to the Convention are well-known figures from American history. Other delegates, however, are less well-known. Choose three of the delegates listed below and write an essay that presents their contributions to the Convention discussions and the final Constitution.

Examples are:

Rufus King

Elbridge Gerry

Edmund Randolph

Nathaniel Gorham

Pierce Butler

Gouverneur Morris

James Wilson

Essay Topic 3

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan are both proposed during the Convention discussion. Discuss how each of these treats the issue of representation, and compare their proposed solutions to the plan for representation presented in the final Constitution.

(see the answer keys)

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