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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was Mr. Mason's fear regarding the House of Representatives?
(a) He feared that it would be run by illiterate farmers.
(b) He feared that it was not truly representative.
(c) He feared that it would not be able to compete with the Senate.
(d) He feared that it did not have enough power to combat the executive.

2. What argument did James Madison make concerning the fear of a centralized government?
(a) He said that taxation would be smaller under a central government.
(b) He said that there would be less regulation of business and commerce by a central government.
(c) He said that the standing army would only be used outside the borders.
(d) He said that factions would check each other.

3. Where else did the question of proposing limitations arise, besides the debate over suffrage?
(a) Requirements for serving in the military.
(b) Qualifications for traveling abroad.
(c) Qualifications for owning property.
(d) Qualifications for holding office.

4. What threat did Mr. Pinckney make if Congress has power to restrict the slave trade?
(a) To withhold ratification.
(b) To march on Washington.
(c) To secede.
(d) To filibuster.

5. What did the draft of the Constitution contain concerning slavery?
(a) The draft did not mention slavery explicitly.
(b) The draft prevented a tax or prohibition on slavery.
(c) The draft outlawed the domestic slave trade.
(d) The draft outlawed the importation of slaves.

6. Which committee recommendation did not make it into the Constitution?
(a) The Electoral College.
(b) Four year terms for President and vice-President.
(c) The Senate should choose the President in case of a tie in the Electoral College.
(d) Senate can amend budget bills.

7. What imbalance gave James Madison cause for worry about ratification in the states?
(a) The disparity between East Coast states and frontier territories.
(b) The disparity between landowners and laborers.
(c) The disparity between national and state interests.
(d) The disparity between Northern and Southern state interests.

8. What did the convention call for on July 26?
(a) A committee to write a draft of the agreed-upon points.
(b) A vote on ratification.
(c) A committee to resolve the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey plan.
(d) Proposals for executive term limits.

9. Who was "Brutus"?
(a) Melancton Smith.
(b) Robert Yates, probably.
(c) A Massachusetts anti-Federalist.
(d) No one knows for sure.

10. What did "Brutus" say about the danger of trying to govern a large area?
(a) It would be expensive and inefficient.
(b) It would create tyranny.
(c) It would require too many bureaucrats.
(d) It would lead to wars.

11. What did Patrick Henry say was the end of government?
(a) Liberty.
(b) Happiness.
(c) Self-reliance.
(d) Education.

12. What was the original proposal for the residency requirement for citizenship?
(a) 2 years residence.
(b) American birth.
(c) 7 years residence.
(d) 14 years residence.

13. What did James Wilson argue regarding the abolition of trial by jury at the federal level?
(a) He said it was not a general problem.
(b) He said that trial by military tribunal was just as fair.
(c) He said that it would be compensated by strong protections at the state level.
(d) He said that there would not be many cases where this applied.

14. What did "Federal Farmer" complain about in his second letter?
(a) That there is no bill of rights.
(b) The Supreme Court had too much power.
(c) The government was allowed to do anything it felt necessary to govern.
(d) The government could impose too many taxes.

15. Who was DeWitt in reality?
(a) A Virginian Anti-Federalist.
(b) A New York Anti-Federalist.
(c) A Rhode Island Federalist.
(d) A Massachusetts Anti-Federalist.

Short Answer Questions

1. What compromise did Mr. Gerry want to reject regarding the ratification of the Constitution?

2. What did James Wilson argue concerning the Constitution's provision for a standing army?

3. What did James Madison worry about concerning ratification in the states?

4. What did Massachusetts propose in its ratification process?

5. How did James Wilson address the absence of a Bill of Rights?

(see the answer keys)

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