Name _________________________________________________ Date _____________ Period _______
Creating the Constitution Study Guide
1. Vocabulary
a. federalism
b. ratify
c. Articles of Confederation
d. republic
e. state sovereignty
f. Nationalist
g. Confederationist
h. Federalist
i. Anti-Federalist
2. What powers were given to the Confederation Congress?
Declare war, make peace, print money.
3. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Why did they fail?
It did not have the power to tax the country to raise money to pay for things like war debt.
4. What was Shays’ Rebellion? Why was it significant (important)?
Uprising of Mass. Farmers who wanted debt relief.
5. When and where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
The Constitutional Convention took place on May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pa.
6. What role did George Washington and Ben Franklin play in the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington was the President of the Constitutional Convention.
7. What were the important issues that had to be resolved at the Constitutional Convention?
How much power will the national government have? How much power do the states have? Do we have
legislative votes based on population or equal states? Do we keep or ban slavery?
8. The states with large populations supported the Virginia Plan? Why?
The Virginia Plan had two legislative houses with representatives based on population. Because of their large
populations, they would have more control.
9. The states with small populations supported the New Jersey Plan? Why?
The New Jersey Plan had one legislative house with equal representatives. They would have just as much
power as the larger populated states.
10. What were the key components of the Great Compromise?
There would be two legislative houses. One would have representatives based on population, and one would
have equal votes per state.
11. What were the two decisions made about slavery at the Constitutional Convention?
3/5 of the total slave population would be counted for taxation and population for representatives.
Slavery would not be able to be banned till at least 1808.
12. When was the Constitution signed by the delegates? ________________September 17, 1787___________
13. What were the Federalist Papers?
The Federalist Papers were ratification essays published in New York Newspapers to persuade citizens to
approve the constitution.
14. Why is James Madison called the “Father of the Constitution”?
James Madison was an influential leader during the Constitutional Convention. He kept very detailed notes
which is why we know what had happened during the meetings. He also helped create the Virginia Plan which
is what our government is based off of.
15. What is a Bill of Rights? Why did the Anti-Federalists want one included? Why did the Federalists think it
unnecessary?
The Bill of Rights are a list of natural rights that are guaranteed by the government. The Antifederalists wanted
them put in the Constitution so that they are written and unable to take away. The Federalist felt that it was
not needed as they were to have these rights anyway.
16. What were the precedents that George Washington set for the office of the President?
What he should be called, “Mr. President”
He appointed cabinet members to help him run the country.
Running for only 2 terms.