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Background
"Background of the Constitution" Answers & Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What was the name of the constitution of the first national government of the United States? | Articles of Confederation |
| Why did the Articles of Confederation not have a chief executive and limit the Confederation Congress' power? | To prevent a strong national government by keeping power in the state governments |
| What law created a plan for dividing and selling land in the Northwest Territory? | Land Ordinance of 1785 |
| What were the two land divisions created by the Land Ordinance of 1785? | Townships & sections |
| What law organized government for the Northwest Territory and created a plan for territories to become states? | Northwest Ordinance |
| Identify three of four economic problems the U.S. had during Confederation years? | Repaying Revolutionary War debt, Inability to regulate trade and tax, Inflation & Economic depression |
| Why was the Confederation Congress unable to solve the country's economic problems? | It lacked power to tax & regulate money |
| Why did Shay's Rebellion in 1786 lead to the formation of the U.S. Constitution? | It showed people Confederation government was too weak & needed to be changed |
| What was the name of the May 1787 meeting held in Philadelphia to make changes to the Articles of Confederation that resulted in a new constitution being written? | Constitutional Convention |
| Who was the leader of the Constitution Convention? | George Washington |
| Who is known as the "Father of the U.S. Constitution" because he took notes at the Convention and his ideas of government were incorporated into the Constitution? | James Madison |
| Why did the New Jersey plan favor small states? | Each state has one vote in legislature |
| Why did the Virginia plan favor larger states? | Representation for each state in the legislature would be based on population |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a Congress where each state has two Senators and state population determines the number of House of Representatives? | The Great Compromise |
| What was the dispute between northern and southern state about counting slaves for representation in Congress? | Southerners wanted slaves counted as a part of slave populations, northerners did not |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention settled the issue of counting slaves for representatives in Congress? | Three-Fifths |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention was made regarding importing new slaves? | Slave importation would be allowed to continue for 20 years until 1807 |
| How were John Locke's Enlightenment ideas of protecting people's natural rights incorporated into the Constitution? | Constitution specified & divided the government's power |
| Why were some people, known as anti-Federalists, against the new constitution? | Constitution was too strong & lacked protection for individual rights |
| What compromise was made to convince people who were against the Constitution to accept it? | A promise to add a bill of rights |