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Total Categories: 5
The comprehensive timeline for the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, including the transition to the new government, spanned precisely five years.
Answer: False
The timeline for the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, including the transition to the new government, spanned 5 years and 9 months, from March 25, 1785, to January 10, 1791.
The Mount Vernon Conference, convened in March 1785, primarily addressed the establishment of a unified national currency.
Answer: False
The Mount Vernon Conference primarily focused on addressing navigational rights in common waterways shared by Maryland and Virginia.
George Washington was formally listed as a delegate representing Virginia at the Mount Vernon Conference.
Answer: False
Although George Washington hosted the Mount Vernon Conference, he was not formally listed as a delegate representing Virginia.
The Mount Vernon Compact, ratified in March 1785, holds the distinction of being the nation's inaugural interstate compact.
Answer: True
The Mount Vernon Compact, approved in March 1785 and subsequently ratified by Virginia and Maryland, is recognized as the nation's first interstate compact.
The Virginia General Assembly's call for an interstate convention in January 1786 was specifically aimed at amending the Articles of Confederation.
Answer: False
The Virginia General Assembly called for an interstate convention in January 1786 to discuss reversing protectionist trade and commerce barriers between states, not specifically to amend the Articles of Confederation.
Every one of the thirteen states dispatched delegates to the Annapolis Convention in September 1786.
Answer: False
Only five states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) sent delegates to the Annapolis Convention in September 1786.
The Annapolis Convention proposed a subsequent convention in Philadelphia for the purpose of deliberating amendments to the Articles of Confederation.
Answer: True
The Annapolis Convention recommended that a new convention be held in Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation.
The Congress of the Confederation explicitly mandated the constitutional convention for the exclusive purpose of drafting an entirely new constitution.
Answer: False
The Congress of the Confederation called the constitutional convention 'for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation,' not drafting an entirely new constitution.
What was the comprehensive timeframe encompassing the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, including the transition to the new government?
Answer: 5 years and 9 months
The timeline for the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, including the transition to the new government, spanned 5 years and 9 months, from March 25, 1785, to January 10, 1791.
At what location was the Maryland-Virginia conference, subsequently termed the Mount Vernon Conference, convened on March 25, 1785?
Answer: George Washington's home, Mount Vernon
The Maryland-Virginia conference, later known as the Mount Vernon Conference, convened at George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.
Among the following individuals, who served as a delegate representing Maryland at the Mount Vernon Conference?
Answer: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a delegate representing Maryland at the Mount Vernon Conference.
What was the principal result of the Maryland-Virginia conference, which concluded on March 28, 1785?
Answer: The approval of the Mount Vernon Compact, regulating commerce and navigation
The Maryland-Virginia conference concluded with the approval of the Mount Vernon Compact, an agreement regulating commerce, fishing, and navigation in shared waterways.
What was the rationale behind the Virginia General Assembly's call for an interstate convention on January 21, 1786?
Answer: To discuss reversing protectionist trade and commerce barriers between states
The Virginia General Assembly called for an interstate convention to discuss reversing protectionist trade and commerce barriers between states.
Among the listed options, which state participated in the Annapolis Convention, which convened on September 11, 1786?
Answer: Delaware
Delegates from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia attended the Annapolis Convention.
What was the pivotal recommendation issued by the Annapolis Convention upon its adjournment on September 14, 1786?
Answer: A request for another convention in Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation
The Annapolis Convention recommended a new convention in Philadelphia to discuss amending the Articles of Confederation.
As stated by the Congress of the Confederation, what was the 'sole and express purpose' for which it convened the constitutional convention on February 21, 1787?
Answer: For the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation
The Congress of the Confederation called the constitutional convention 'for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation'.
The Constitutional Convention's inaugural meeting on May 14, 1787, was deferred owing to substantial disagreements among the delegates already present.
Answer: False
The Constitutional Convention's opening meeting on May 14, 1787, was postponed because an insufficient number of delegates had arrived to form a quorum.
James Madison was chosen as the president of the Constitutional Convention upon its official convening.
Answer: False
George Washington was elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention when it officially convened.
The Connecticut Compromise advocated for a unicameral legislature, ensuring equal representation for every state.
Answer: False
The Connecticut Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
The Committee of Eleven, constituted on July 2, 1787, was principally charged with composing the initial comprehensive draft of the Constitution.
Answer: False
The Committee of Eleven, selected on July 2, 1787, was chosen to find a compromise on the contentious issue of representation in the two houses of the federal legislature. The Committee of Detail was tasked with drafting the first complete version of the Constitution.
The Three-Fifths Compromise stipulated that enslaved individuals would be enumerated as three-fifths of a person for both legislative representation and direct taxation.
Answer: True
The Three-Fifths Compromise, adopted on July 12, 1787, determined that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of apportioning representatives in the House of Representatives and levying direct taxes.
The Committee of Detail submitted its proposed twenty-three article constitution to the convention on August 6, 1787.
Answer: True
The Committee of Detail presented its report, which proposed a twenty-three article constitution along with a preamble, on August 6, 1787.
On what date did the Constitutional Convention formally commence, once a sufficient number of delegates had arrived to establish a quorum?
Answer: May 25, 1787
The Constitutional Convention officially convened on May 25, 1787, once enough delegates were present to form a quorum.
Who was designated as the chairman of the Committee of the Whole during the Constitutional Convention?
Answer: Nathaniel Gorham
Nathaniel Gorham was elected to chair the Committee of the Whole during the Constitutional Convention.
Describe the Connecticut Compromise, as introduced by Roger Sherman on June 11, 1787.
Answer: A bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate
The Connecticut Compromise proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
Which governmental plan, alternatively referred to as the Paterson Plan, was presented in June 1787?
Answer: The New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey Plan, also known as the Paterson Plan, was introduced in June 1787.
What was the objective behind the adoption of the Three-Fifths Compromise on July 12, 1787?
Answer: To apportion representatives and levy direct taxes based on enslaved individuals
The Three-Fifths Compromise was adopted to apportion representatives in the House of Representatives and levy direct taxes based on enslaved individuals.
Identify the members of the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for drafting the initial version of the Constitution.
Answer: John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson
The Committee of Detail, tasked with writing the first draft of the Constitution, included John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson.
The drafting of the United States Constitution formally concluded with its adoption and signing on September 17, 1787, at the Pennsylvania State House.
Answer: True
The drafting of the United States Constitution concluded on September 17, 1787, with its adoption and signing at the Pennsylvania State House.
Gouverneur Morris served as the principal author of the Constitution's final cohesive draft, acting as a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement.
Answer: True
Gouverneur Morris, as a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, was the primary author of the final cohesive draft of the Constitution.
The official draft of the Constitution was engrossed by William Jackson, who served as the convention secretary.
Answer: False
The official copy of the draft Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, not William Jackson. William Jackson signed as a witness.
Every delegate present at the Constitutional Convention affixed their signature to the approved Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Answer: False
Thirty-nine delegates signed the approved Constitution on September 17, 1787. However, three delegates present—Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry—declined to sign.
The initial public copies of the proposed Constitution were printed in New York City.
Answer: False
The first public copies of the proposed Constitution were printed by The Pennsylvania Packet in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787.
The drafting of the United States Constitution formally concluded on September 17, 1787, with the adoption and signing of the Frame of Government. Which prior document was this new framework intended to supersede?
Answer: The Articles of Confederation
The Frame of Government, adopted and signed on September 17, 1787, was designed to replace the Articles of Confederation.
As a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, who served as the principal author of the Constitution's final draft?
Answer: Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris was the primary author of the final cohesive draft of the Constitution, as a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement.
On September 17, 1787, how many delegates affixed their signatures to the approved Constitution?
Answer: 39
Thirty-nine delegates from twelve states signed the approved Constitution on September 17, 1787.
On what date and in which city were the initial public copies of the proposed Constitution disseminated?
Answer: September 18, 1787, in Philadelphia
The first public copies of the proposed Constitution were printed by The Pennsylvania Packet in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787.
The ratification process for the Constitution commenced several months subsequent to the document's signing by the delegates.
Answer: False
The ratification process for the Constitution began on September 17, 1787, the same day the document was signed.
The Congress of the Confederation formally ratified the proposed Constitution on September 28, 1787.
Answer: False
On September 28, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation voted to transmit the proposed Constitution to the thirteen states for ratification by state conventions, it did not ratify it itself.
The initial Anti-Federalist letters were disseminated under the pseudonym 'Publius'.
Answer: False
The first Anti-Federalist letters were published under pseudonyms such as 'Cato,' 'Centinel,' 'Federal Farmer,' and 'Brutus.' The pseudonym 'Publius' was used by the authors of 'The Federalist Papers,' who advocated for the Constitution's ratification.
Delaware holds the distinction of being the first state to ratify the Constitution, achieving this with a unanimous vote.
Answer: True
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, with a unanimous vote of 30–0.
The Anti-Federalist minority within the Pennsylvania convention released their 'Dissent' prior to their state's ratification of the Constitution.
Answer: False
The Anti-Federalist minority of the Pennsylvania convention published their 'Dissent' on December 18, 1787, *after* Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution on December 12, 1787.
Massachusetts ratified the Constitution without proposing any modifications.
Answer: False
Massachusetts ratified the Constitution on February 6, 1788, but requested nineteen alterations to the document.
Rhode Island initially repudiated the Constitution via a statewide referendum, deviating from the state convention method.
Answer: True
On March 1, 1788, the Rhode Island General Assembly called for a statewide referendum on the Constitution instead of a state convention, and voters overwhelmingly rejected it on March 24, 1788.
New Hampshire's ratification held particular importance as it was the ninth state to ratify, thereby formally establishing the Constitution for the nine ratifying states.
Answer: True
New Hampshire's ratification on June 21, 1788, was significant because it was the ninth state to ratify, officially establishing the Constitution and enabling its implementation for those nine states.
Which state was the last to ratify the United States Constitution, thereby concluding the ratification process on May 29, 1790?
Answer: Rhode Island
Rhode Island became the final state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
Identify the authors who wrote under the pseudonym 'Publius' for 'The Federalist Papers'.
Answer: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
The authors writing under the pseudonym 'Publius' for 'The Federalist Papers' were Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.
Which state holds the distinction of being the first to ratify the United States Constitution?
Answer: Delaware
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.
Subsequent to Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution, what measure did the Anti-Federalist minority of the state convention undertake?
Answer: They published their 'Dissent' expressing objections to the document.
After Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution, the Anti-Federalist minority of the Pennsylvania convention published their 'Dissent' expressing their objections to the document.
On what date did Massachusetts ratify the Constitution, and what specific alterations did it propose?
Answer: February 6, 1788, requesting nineteen alterations
Massachusetts ratified the Constitution on February 6, 1788, and requested nineteen alterations to the document.
What was the pivotal significance of New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution on June 21, 1788?
Answer: It marked the official establishment of the Constitution for the nine ratifying states.
New Hampshire's ratification on June 21, 1788, was significant because it was the ninth state to ratify, officially establishing the Constitution for those nine states.
The inaugural presidential election under the new Constitution concluded with John Adams' unanimous election as Vice President.
Answer: False
In the first presidential election, George Washington was unanimously elected President, but John Adams was elected Vice President with 34 of 69 votes cast, not unanimously.
Following New Hampshire's ratification, what measure did Congress implement on July 2, 1788?
Answer: A committee was formed to review ratifications and develop a plan for implementing the new Constitution.
After New Hampshire's ratification, Congress formed a committee on July 2, 1788, to review all received ratifications and develop a plan for implementing the new Constitution.
During what period was the inaugural quadrennial presidential election conducted under the newly adopted Constitution?
Answer: December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789
The first quadrennial presidential election under the new Constitution was held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789.
Which state was precluded from casting electoral votes in the first presidential election because its legislature did not appoint electors within the stipulated timeframe?
Answer: New York
New York was ineligible to cast electoral votes in the first presidential election because its legislature failed to appoint its allotted electors in time.
Upon achieving its first quorum on April 1, 1789, who was elected as the inaugural Speaker of the House of Representatives?
Answer: Frederick Muhlenberg
Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected as the first Speaker of the House of Representatives when it achieved its first quorum on April 1, 1789.
During George Washington's inauguration on April 30, 1789, who administered the presidential oath of office?
Answer: Robert Livingston
Chancellor Robert Livingston of New York administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington during his inauguration on April 30, 1789.