| Question | Answer |
| He is known as the Father of the Constitution because the Constitution is based on his Virginia Plan for a new government. _ | James Madison |
| He was chosen as leader of the Constitutional Convention because people respected him and he had proven himself as a good leader during the war. This person later became the first President of the United States. | George Washington |
| This man from Philadelphia represented Pennsylvania during the Constitutional Convention. He is known for his famous writings and wisdom. | Benjamin Franklin |
| What is a constitution? | A written plan for government. |
| What powers did the Articles of Confederation give Congress? | Declare war and peace, make treaties, print and borrow money |
| What were some problems that the Articles of Confederation created? | Congress could not raise money with taxes or settle arguments between states. |
| A group of farmers led by Daniel Shays tried to capture weapons owned by the government. This protest is known as | Shays’ Rebellion |
| Where did delegates to the Constitutional Convention meet? | Philadelphia |
| Why did delegates meet in the spring of 1787? | To discuss the Articles of Confederation |
| What state did Madison and Washington represent during the Constitutional Convention? | Virginia |
| Some delegates wanted a federal system. What is a federal system? | The national government and states share power. |
| James Madison proposed a plan in which the central government would be divided into three branches. This plan was known as the _ | Virginia Plan_________ |
| What was one issue that delegates did NOT agree on in the Virginia Plan? | delegates from each state would be based on _population________________. |
| Roger Sherman came up with a compromise to end the debate about how many delegates each state would get. He proposed a plan to have the same number of delegates in the senate and a number based on population in the House of Representatives. | The Great Compromise |
| Southern delegates wanted to be able to count their slaves as part of the population. However, the other delegates didn’t think that was fair. They decided to allow 5 slaves to be counted as 3 free people. This was known as the | Three Fifths Compromise__ |
| What did Federalists do to persuade the states to ratify the Constitution? | They promised to add Bill of Rights to the Constitution |
| What is a democracy? | A government in which people have the power to make political decisions. |
| What are the three branches of government? | 1. legislative
2. executive
3. judicial |
| What is the highest court in the nation? | Supreme Court |
| Why did James Madison and other authors of the Constitution create three branches of government? | To make sure that the government’s powers were _limited___ and that no single branch could run the country alone. |
| What are checks and balances? | A system that lets each branch limit the powers of the other two. |
| How did the Constitution create a more successful government than the Articles of Confederation? | It made a _stronger______ national government while still allowing the national government and states to _share_______ power |
| What is an amendment? | A change to the constitution |
| Why did people want a Bill of Rights? | To protect their rights |
| What is one way that the Constitution has changed? | It has been amended to protect the _voting________ rights of all _people___ |
| In what year was the first president elected? | 1789 |
| Who was elected as the first president of the United States? | George Washington |
| Why did George Washington act with care as President? | To set an example for future presidents |
| Hamilton and Jefferson compromised on some issues. What is one issue that they agreed on? | They agreed to build a new _capital__________ on the Potomac River, between Maryland and _Virginia___ |
| In 1792, building of a new capital began. What was the new capital city called? | Washington |
| How long did Washington serve as President? | 8 years |
