Articles of Confederation

Which state did not send a delegation to the Constitutional Convention?

Rhode Island

Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?

Independence Hall

What three things did the delegates immediately agree to?

To meet in secret, choose George Washington to head the meeting, and hire a secretary

Who wrote the detailed notes of the meetings?

James Madison ("Little Jimmy")

Which two prominent Virginians were not at the Convention and why?

Thomas Jefferson (in France) and Patrick Henry (declined)

Who proposed the Virginia Plan?

Edmond Randolph

Who wrote the Virginia Plan?

James Madison

What was the Virginia Plan's nickname?

The "Large State Plan"

What was the structure of the legislature proposed by the Virginia Plan?

Bicameral (Two Houses)

What three branches of government did the Virginia Plan create?

Legislative, Executive (a council of three), and Judicial

Who proposed the New Jersey Plan?

William Patterson

What was the New Jersey Plan's nickname?

The "Small State Plan"

What was the structure of the legislature proposed by the New Jersey Plan?

Unicameral (One House, where every state gets two reps)

Who wrote the Connecticut Plan (The Great Compromise)?

Roger Sherman

What was the compromise in the Connecticut Plan's bicameral legislature?

The Senate had two representatives per state, and the House of Representatives was based on population.

Who proposed the Electoral College?

Alexander Hamilton

What are the three main flaws of the Electoral College?

Winning the popular vote but losing the electoral college, the faithless elector, and the risk that no one gets to 270 votes.

What was the 3/5ths Compromise?

A slave counted as 3/5ths of a person for taxation and representation.

What was the Slave Trade Compromise?

The slave trade could continue for 20 years (until 1808).

What was the Commerce Compromise?

It outlawed export taxes.

Who ran the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which drafted the final Constitution?

Gouverneur Morris

Who were the three Virginia signers of the Constitution?

John Blair, James Madison, and George Washington

Why did George Mason refuse to sign the Constitution?

Because there was no Bill of Rights.

What was Ben Franklin's quote about the Constitution's acceptance?

"Mr President, I agree with this constitution for all its fault, if there are such, it is indeed a rising and not a setting sun."

What was Ben Franklin's quote to the woman asking about the government?

"A republic madam, if we can keep it."

What was the first state to ratify the Constitution?

Delaware