Question 1

The result of the 1777 Continental Congress was a constitution concerned primarily with

Accepted Answer

The 1777 Continental Congress resulted in the Articles of Confederation, which were primarily concerned with limiting the powers of the central government to prevent any single entity from gaining too much control, reflecting the colonies' recent experiences with British rule.

Question 2

The Declaration of Independence was almost entirely written by

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson with some edits and revisions by other members of the Continental Congress. While James Madison and others provided input, Jefferson is credited with the majority of the drafting.

Question 3

It is possible that the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia would never have taken place at all if not for a single event that occurred soon after the Annapolis Convention.This event was

Accepted Answer

Shays's Rebellion, which occurred in 1786-87, was a violent uprising of debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts who were protesting against high taxes and foreclosure proceedings. The rebellion was seen by many political leaders as a sign that the Articles of Confederation, the governing document of the newly formed United States, were inadequate to deal with domestic unrest. This led to a call for a larger meeting to be held in Philadelphia, which eventually became the Constitutional Convention. Without Shays's Rebellion, it is possible that the convention would never have taken place, and the United States might have continued to struggle under a weak and ineffective government.

Question 4

Early states had broad latitude to pursue their own policies, and the national government, under the Articles of Confederation, had little recourse if it disliked those policies.For example, the Rhode Island legislature-dominated by representatives of small farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers-frightened businessmen and property owners throughout the country by instituting

Accepted Answer

The best choice is B because the Rhode Island legislature instituted economic policies which included drastic currency inflation, causing concern among businessmen and property owners throughout the country. The other options (A, C, D, and E) are not supported by the passage and therefore are not the best choice.

Question 5

The Declaration of Independence was remarkable for its assertion that there are certain unalienable rights including

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence specifically mentions "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as unalienable rights that all individuals possess. While other rights such as due process and freedom of speech are important and are protected under various laws and documents, they are not explicitly mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.

Question 6

An extension of the policy principle is that rational actors design institutions that help them bring about the outcomes they desire.How did the Three-Fifths Compromise bias outcomes, compared to the Northerners' preference on the issue of slavery and representation?

Accepted Answer

The Three-Fifths Compromise counted three-fifths of the slave population towards a state's representation in Congress. This gave more representation to Southern states that had more slaves, which in turn gave them more power to protect the interests of slave owners. This biased outcomes towards the preferences of slave-owning Southern states, compared to Northern states that preferred abolition or restrictions on slavery.

Question 7

Which state did NOT send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Question 8

The Articles of Confederation provided a set of rules and procedures that provided incentives for states to compete with each other for foreign commerce.This effect of the Articles best reflects which principle of politics?

Accepted Answer

The institution principle is reflected in this scenario because the Articles of Confederation established a framework (institutions) that shaped how states interacted with each other and with foreign commerce. This principle emphasizes how political institutions create the rules of the game and influence behavior, which in this case led to competition among states.

Question 9

During the winter of 1786-1787, John Adams of Massachusetts was sent to negotiate a new treaty with the British to cover disputes left over from the war.The British government responded that it would

Accepted Answer

The British government responded that it would negotiate with each of the 13 states separately, rather than through a unified federal government, which was a major point of contention for the American delegation. This led to further divisions between the states and strengthened the case for a stronger central government.

Question 10

In contrast to Charles Beard's approach, some view the framers of the Constitution as being motivated by

Accepted Answer

Beard argued that the framers were motivated by economic self-interest, while others believe they were influenced by the prevailing philosophical and moral values of their time, aiming to create a government that reflected Enlightenment ideals of democracy, justice, and equality.

Question 11

Under the Articles of Confederation, what power was Congress given?

Accepted Answer

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was given the power to declare war.

Question 12

The Boston Tea Party set into motion a cycle of provocation and retaliation that, in 1774, resulted in the convening of an assembly of delegates from all parts of the colonies called the

Accepted Answer

The correct name for the assembly of delegates from all parts of the colonies that was convened in 1774 is the First Continental Congress. This Congress was called in response to the Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, that were passed by the British Parliament as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies attended the Congress, which was held in Philadelphia. Its purpose was to address the grievances of the colonies with the British government and to coordinate a unified response to the Coercive Acts. The Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, and also established the Continental Association to boycott British goods.

Question 13

In November of 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the United States' first written constitution.It was known as the

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union were the United States' first written constitution, adopted by the Continental Congress in November 1777. The Virginia Plan was a proposal for a new federal government system, the Annapolis Convention was a meeting of state delegates to discuss economic problems, the Declaration of Independence declared the colonies' separation from Britain, and the Seneca Falls Declaration was a women's rights manifesto.

Question 14

Daniel Shays, a former army captain, led a mob in a rebellion against the Massachusetts government in order to

Accepted Answer

Daniel Shays led a rebellion in order to prevent foreclosures on debt-ridden farm lands. Shays and his followers were mainly small farmers who were unable to pay their debts and taxes, and were facing losing their land as a result. The rebellion was a response to the economic hardship faced by many farmers in the aftermath of the American Revolution.

Question 15

By dumping the East India Company's tea into Boston Harbor, Samuel Adams and his followers pressured the British into enacting a number of harsh reprisals that

Accepted Answer

The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the early stages of the American Revolution, radicalizing many Americans to resist British rule. The dumping of tea into Boston Harbor was seen as an act of rebellion against British authority and contributed to growing tensions between colonists and the British government. The harsh reprisals that followed, including the Intolerable Acts, further fueled resentment and opposition to British rule, ultimately leading to the outbreak of war.

Question 16

Charles Beard's interpretation of the framing of the Constitution was primarily

Accepted Answer

Charles Beard's interpretation of the framing of the Constitution was largely economic, arguing that the wealthy elite created and supported the Constitution in order to protect their own economic interests. This interpretation is known as the "economic interpretation of the Constitution."

Question 17

The one positive result of the Annapolis Convention was a resolution calling for

Accepted Answer

The resolution passed at the Annapolis Convention called for a meeting in Philadelphia to "reform the Articles of Confederation." This meeting later became known as the Constitutional Convention, where the Constitution of the United States was written and eventually ratified.

Question 18

In hindsight, the decision of New England merchants and Southern planters to ally with small farmers, shopkeepers, and other pro-independence radicals to defeat the British seems puzzling as the balance of power in post-Revolutionary America shifted in favor of the radicals and threatened the interests of the pre-Revolutionary elite.However, the decision of the merchants and planters to join forces with the radicals may be considered __________ if each group considered the costs and benefits of the decision and speculated about future effects.

Accepted Answer

The decision of the New England merchants and Southern planters to ally with small farmers, shopkeepers, and other pro-independence radicals was rational because they weighed the costs and benefits of their decision and speculated on future effects. They knew that defeating the British and gaining independence would benefit them in the long run, even if it meant losing some of their power in the short term. Therefore, their decision to join forces with the radicals was a calculated one and can be considered rational.

Question 19

According to historian Charles Beard, the framers of the Constitution were motivated primarily by

Accepted Answer

According to Charles Beard's interpretation of history, the framers of the Constitution were motivated primarily by their own economic self-interest, rather than high-minded principles or patriotic duty. This theory, known as "economic determinism," suggests that the Constitution was created to protect the property rights of the wealthy elite, who stood to benefit most from a strong central government that could regulate commerce and promote stability. While some historians have challenged Beard's thesis, it remains a controversial and influential interpretation of the Constitution's origins.

Question 20

Why did Shays's Rebellion enable collective action among those who wanted to revise the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation, particularly its inability to quell uprisings or maintain order, convincing more people of the need for a stronger central government.

Quiz 2: Constructing a Government: the Founding and the Constitution