The Constitutional Convention Questions and Answers
The Constitutional Convention
Why did the framers believe it was important to create a "separation of powers"?
The framers believed it was important to create a "separation of powers" to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful, as they had observed with the British monarchy. By...
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How did the US Constitution address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Ways the US Constitution overcame the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were giving Congress the power to tax, creating additional branches of government, and giving the federal government...
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James Madison's distinction between democracy and a republic
James Madison distinguished between democracy and a republic by stating that in a democracy, the people directly govern themselves, while in a republic, they elect representatives to govern on their...
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Why didn't Rhode Island send a representative to the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island did not send a representative to the 1787 Constitutional Convention because it opposed the creation of a strong central government. The state preferred the Articles of Confederation,...
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Why was the Constitutional Convention meeting secretive?
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held in secrecy to prevent misunderstandings and distortions by the press and political opponents. At the time, the political climate was highly contentious,...
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Which branch of government did the Constitution's Framers deem most important and why?
The Framers of the Constitution deemed the legislative branch most important, as evidenced by its placement in Article I, its extensive powers, and its length compared to other articles. This...
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What advantages did the New Jersey Plan offer?
Advantages to the New Jersey Plan included giving smaller states equal power to larger states in the federal legislature, as well as giving the federal government more power to raise taxes, to...
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How would you describe the Constitutional Convention delegates?
The Constitutional Convention delegates were predominantly wealthy, educated white men, many of whom were investors, bankers, or landowners, including slave owners. Most had prior government...
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How did the Great Compromise balance small and large states' wishes?
The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, balanced the interests of large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature. In the House of Representatives, representation was based on...
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Comparison of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The Federalists supported a strong central government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing it was necessary for national unity and economic stability. In contrast, the...
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Why did the Founding Fathers choose federalism?
The Founding Fathers chose federalism to balance power between a strong central government and the independence of states. The Articles of Confederation had proven ineffective, as they left the...
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Explain the origin and development of US constitutional democracy.
The origin of U.S. constitutional democracy stems from the American Revolution and the desire for self-determination. Influenced by European thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu, the Founding...
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What were the two major issues at the Constitutional Convention and how were they resolved?
The Constitutional Convention addressed two major issues: replacing the Articles of Confederation and determining representation in Congress. The Articles were replaced to establish a stronger...
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How might the U.S. have looked if Anti-Federalists won the Constitution debate?
If the Anti-Federalists had won the debate over the U.S. Constitution, the nation might have remained weak and fragmented, similar to its state under the Articles of Confederation. State governments...
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What was the solution of the Great Compromise?
The Great Compromise resolved the issue of representation in Congress during the Constitutional Convention. It combined elements of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan, establishing a bicameral...
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Effects Of The Bill Of Rights
The immediate effect of the Bill of Rights was to facilitate the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by addressing fears of federal overreach, ensuring protection of individual rights. Long-term,...
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How did the original United States Constitution limit majority rule?
The original United States Constitution limited majority rule by restricting direct elections to only the House of Representatives, thereby reducing the public's direct influence on other government...
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The necessity and addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights was necessary to protect individual liberties against potential government overreach. Its addition to the Constitution ensured essential freedoms such as speech, religion, and due...
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What were James Madison's views on liberty, justice, and self-interest?
James Madison believed that a well-structured republican government could harness self-interest to preserve liberty and justice. He argued in Federalist 51 that the system of checks and balances...
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How does the Constitution establish justice?
The Constitution establishes justice through the creation of the judicial branch, which interprets laws and resolves disputes. The Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 further supported this by establishing...
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What was the issue with the Three-Fifths Compromise?
The Three-Fifths Compromise, adopted in 1787, counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for population representation in Congress. This compromise arose as Southern states wanted more representation...
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What did Alexander Hamilton fear if the Constitution wasn't adopted?
Alexander Hamilton feared that without the Constitution, the United States would face significant economic and political challenges. He worried that the country would fragment into semi-independent...
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How were the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution similar?
The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution share a few similarities despite the latter being drafted to correct the former's inadequacies. Both documents grant only the Federal government the...
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What is a federal system of government and why did the Framers choose it for the United States?
A federal system of government divides power between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states, bringing governance closer to the people. The Framers chose this system to...
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Who were the two Catholic signers of the Constitution?
Thomas Fitzsimons of Pennsylvania and Daniel Carroll of Maryland were the two Catholic signers of the U.S. Constitution. Fitzsimons, who advocated for the end of slavery and taxing imports and...
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What issues were debated during the constitutional convention?
The Constitutional Convention debated key issues including representation in Congress, where a compromise led to unequal representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate. Another...
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What were the features of the New Jersey and Virginia plans, and how were their differences resolved?
The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring larger states. In contrast, the New Jersey Plan advocated for a unicameral legislature with...
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Which states did not sign the Constitution?
Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention and thus did not sign the Constitution. Some delegates from other states, like Luther Martin of Maryland...
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Was Benjamin Franklin a federalist?
Benjamin Franklin supported the new U.S. Constitution, aligning with federalist principles (small f), but he was not a member of the Federalist Party, which formed after his death in 1790. He played...
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What Was The Purpose Of The Constitutional Convention
The 1787 Constitutional Convention aimed to address the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, which failed to provide effective federal leadership and economic stability. The Convention's...
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What were the main arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the 1780s?
The main arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the 1780s centered on the power balance between national and state governments. Federalists advocated for a strong central...
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How does the final version of the Constitution address the issue of slavery?
The final version of the Constitution addressed slavery through compromises and later amendments. Initially, the Three-Fifths Compromise allowed a portion of the slave population to be counted for...
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What were the main sources of conflict at the Constitutional Convention and how did the Connecticut and Three Fifths...
The main conflicts at the Constitutional Convention involved representation, slavery, and federal power. Large states favored the Virginia Plan for representation by population, while small states...
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What were three weaknesses of the first national government and how did the U.S. Constitution address them?
The first national government under the Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses: it lacked the power to coin money, regulate interstate commerce, and had no executive leader. The U.S....
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Why did the Constitution's writers deem a new government plan necessary?
The Constitution's writers sought a new government plan because the Articles of Confederation gave excessive power to the states, hindering national economic growth and creating instability. They...
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Which amendment was the most important to the Anti-Federalists?
The most important amendment to the Anti-Federalists was the Tenth Amendment. This amendment limited the power of the federal government by ensuring that any powers not specifically delegated to the...
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Why do many Constitutional amendments address the legal treatment of the accused?
Many Constitutional amendments focus on the legal treatment of the accused due to historical concerns about fair treatment and protection of individual liberties. The Framers, influenced by their...
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Which Of The Following Compromises Did The Federalists And Anti-federalists Make?
The compromises between Federalists and Antifederalists necessary for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution primarily revolved around balancing federal and state powers. The Antifederalists...
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What decisions did the Constitutional Convention of 1787 make regarding government structure, slavery, and...
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 established a new government structure, replacing the Articles of Confederation. Major decisions included the Great Compromise, creating a bicameral legislature...
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What political innovations did the 1787 Constitutional Convention develop?
The 1787 Constitutional Convention introduced key political innovations like federalism and checks and balances. Federalism balanced national and state powers, with the federal government being...
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Federalists' and Antifederalists' perspectives on the Constitution
The Federalists supported the Constitution, advocating for a strong central government to ensure stability and unity. In contrast, the Antifederalists opposed it, fearing that a powerful central...
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How did Locke and Hobbes influence the framers of the US Constitution?
Locke and Hobbes significantly influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Locke's ideas, like inalienable rights and popular sovereignty, inspired key elements such as the Declaration of...
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Why were the Articles of Confederation abandoned? What compromises were made during the Constitutional Convention?
The Articles of Confederation were abandoned due to their creation of a weak central government that lacked the power to tax or regulate commerce, leading to inefficiencies and disputes among states....
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How did the concepts of liberty and freedom help ordinary citizens become involved in political affairs?
The concepts of liberty and freedom encouraged ordinary citizens to engage in political affairs by expanding voting rights and encouraging activism. Initially, only property-owning white males could...
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Which was better: the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution?
The Constitution is generally considered better than the Articles of Confederation because it established a stronger central government capable of managing national affairs effectively. The Articles...
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What convinced many Anti-Federalists to support the Constitution?
Many Anti-Federalists were convinced to support the Constitution due to the promise of the Bill of Rights. They feared a powerful federal government might infringe on individual liberties, similar to...
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How does the Constitution differ from the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution established a stronger federal government compared to the Articles of Confederation, which had a weak central authority. The Articles lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or...
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In what year did the Constitution become law?
The Constitution became law on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it, fulfilling the requirement that nine out of the original thirteen states needed to approve it....
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What conflict did the Great Compromise resolve at the Constitutional Convention?
The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention resolved the conflict over congressional representation between large and small states. Large states wanted representation based on population,...
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What does Madison believe society needs to guard against, and what should a good constitution do? What, according to...
Madison believed society must guard against tyranny by preventing power imbalances among government branches and unifying state and federal powers. A good constitution should address these issues....