1. Constitutional Convention Worksheet

2. Question 1
The Constitutional Convention took place at the State House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

3. Question 2
Which state did not send a representative? Why?

4. Answer
Rhode Island did not send a representative because it was afraid of losing state’s rights.

5. Question 3
There were 55 delegates to the Convention. Of these, 39 signed the Constitution, and 3 dissented.

6. Question 4
These delegates were selected by their states. They were educated, patriotic, and experienced men, ranging from the ages of 40 to 81.

7. Question 5
What were some of the jobs the “Founding Fathers?” What is one job they all had in common?

8. Answer
Some men were landowners and some were lawyers or judges. All delegates held at least one public office.

9. True or False?
Women and minorities were present at the Constitutional convention.

10. False
Women, minorities, and Native Americans were not present at the Constitutional Convention.

11. True or False?
The writers of our Constitution wanted to make sure that the new nation and its citizens would be free and independent, and that the government of the United States would protect the people from a government that was too powerful and from the autocratic rule of kings.

12. True
True, our Constitution protects the right of individual citizens.

13. True or False?
Because the delegates didn't want the wishes of the people to be denied by any part of government or by the power of any single leader, they decided to give the government the same powers as the Articles of Confederation.

14. False
The statement should read: The delegates didn't want the wishes of the people to be denied by any part of government or by the power of any single leader, but they also knew the government must be stronger than the one based on the Articles of Confederation.

15. Question 7
Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention? Why was his job difficult?

16. Answer
George Washington was the President of the Constitutional Convention. His job was difficult because his job was to keep the meetings orderly and effective. This was no small task considering the many different points of view among the delegates.

17. Question 8
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention came from different backgrounds and held different political views. For example, they argued about how many representatives each state should be allowed.

18. Question 9
The larger states favored the Virginia Plan. According to the Virginia Plan, each state would have a different number of representatives based on the state’s population.

19. Question 10
The smaller states favored the New Jersey Plan. According to the New Jersey Plan, the number of representatives would be the same for each state.

20. Question 11
A delegate from Connecticut, Roger Sherman, proposed a two-house legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

21. Question 12
The Senate would have an equal number of representatives from each state. This would satisfy the states with smaller populations.

22. Question 13
The House of Representatives would include one representative for each 30,000 individuals in a state. This pleased states with larger populations.

23. Question 14
This two-house legislature plan worked for all states and became known as the Great Compromise.

24. Great Compromise
A and B. What was the first and last name of the man who proposed the two-house legislature?

25. Great Compromise
Roger Sherman

26. Great Compromise
Which legislative body has an equal number of representatives from each state?

27. Great Compromise
The Senate

28. Great Compromise
Which states favored the Virginia Plan?

29. Great Compromise
The Larger States

30. Great Compromise
Which plan was based on equal representation?

31. Great Compromise
The New Jersey Plan

32. Great Compromise
Which plan was based on population to determine representation?

33. Great Compromise
The Virginia Plan

34. Wrap Up How many delegates were at the Constitutional Convention?
How was the Constitution’s power different from the Articles of Confederation?
Which states favored the Virginia Plan? Why?
What part of the government was formed from the Virginia Plan?
Which states favored the New Jersey Plan? Why?
What part of the government was formed from the New Jersey Plan?
What compromise was made in order to please both sides?