- 1. The American Constitution, drafted in the summer of 1787 during the Philadelphia Convention, stands as a monumental achievement in the history of governance, representing the culmination of a series of debates, compromises, and visionary ideas that sought to establish a framework for a new republic following the American Revolution. The Founding Fathers, a group of influential leaders including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, convened in secrecy to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate in managing the needs of the fledgling nation. Over the course of four months, they engaged in rigorous discussions, balancing the interests of both large and small states, as well as addressing issues of federal versus state power, individual rights, and the separation of powers among the branches of government. The result was a compact yet profound document that not only outlined the structure of the federal government but also enshrined the principles of democracy, liberty, and justice. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and subsequently sent to the states for ratification. It was a bold experiment in self-governance, fostering a system of checks and balances designed to prevent tyranny and ensure that power remained rooted in the consent of the governed. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights in 1791 further reflected the commitment to individual freedoms and has since played a crucial role in American legal and political life. Ultimately, the Constitution has proven to be a living document, adaptable to the changing needs and values of society, allowing it to endure as the foundation of the United States government for over two centuries.
Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?
A) James Madison
B) Thomas Jefferson
C) Benjamin Franklin
D) George Washington
- 2. What year was the American Constitution drafted?
A) 1787
B) 1776
C) 1800
D) 1791
- 3. Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
A) New York City
B) Boston
C) Washington D.C.
D) Philadelphia
- 4. How many delegates signed the American Constitution?
A) 27
B) 39
C) 13
D) 55
- 5. Which state did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
A) Massachusetts
B) Rhode Island
C) Virginia
D) New York
- 6. What is the opening phrase of the Constitution?
A) We hold these truths to be self-evident
B) Four score and seven years ago
C) We the People
D) In Congress, July 4, 1776
- 7. How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?
A) 10
B) 5
C) 15
D) 12
- 8. Who was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention?
A) James Madison
B) Benjamin Franklin
C) George Washington
D) Thomas Jefferson
- 9. Who presided over the Constitutional Convention?
A) Thomas Jefferson
B) John Adams
C) Benjamin Franklin
D) George Washington
- 10. What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
A) To declare independence from Britain
B) To revise the Articles of Confederation
C) To establish a monarchy
D) To form a new nation
- 11. How many branches of government are established by the Constitution?
A) 3
B) 1
C) 2
D) 4
- 12. The Constitution replaced which document as the supreme law of the land?
A) Mayflower Compact
B) Magna Carta
C) Articles of Confederation
D) Declaration of Independence
- 13. Which delegate proposed the Three-Fifths Compromise at the Convention?
A) George Washington
B) Roger Sherman
C) James Wilson
D) John Dickinson
- 14. How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect?
A) 13
B) 9
C) 7
D) 11
- 15. Who served as the secretary of the Constitutional Convention?
A) James Madison
B) Thomas Jefferson
C) Alexander Hamilton
D) William Jackson
- 16. Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting the Constitution?
A) Military
B) Executive
C) Legislative
D) Judicial
- 17. How many original articles are in the Constitution?
A) 7
B) 10
C) 5
D) 12
- 18. Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?
A) Virginia
B) New York
C) Delaware
D) Massachusetts
- 19. Which delegate proposed the Great Compromise at the Convention?
A) George Washington
B) James Madison
C) John Dickinson
D) Roger Sherman
- 20. The Constitution was adopted on what date in 1787?
A) December 25
B) July 4
C) January 1
D) September 17
- 21. Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and did not attend the Constitutional Convention?
A) Thomas Jefferson
B) George Washington
C) James Madison
D) Alexander Hamilton
- 22. Which state was the first to call for a Constitutional Convention?
A) New York
B) Massachusetts
C) Virginia
D) Pennsylvania
- 23. Which part of the Constitution outlines the amendment process?
A) Article V
B) Article III
C) Article I
D) Article VII
- 24. Which branch of government is outlined in Article II of the US Constitution?
A) Amendment Branch
B) Executive Branch
C) Judicial Branch
D) Legislative Branch
- 25. Which amendment to the US Constitution gave women the right to vote?
A) 15th Amendment
B) 19th Amendment
C) 10th Amendment
D) 1st Amendment
- 26. Which part of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and other federal courts?
A) Article VII
B) Article V
C) Article I
D) Article III
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