Virginia Topic 4 Assessment 1. Describe State Constitutions Write a paragraph describing the state constitutions written after the American Revolution. Make sure to do the following in your paragraph: describe what a constitution is; describe the structures of government state constitutions created; and identify a major area of disagreement over state constitutions. [VUS.1.g, VUS.5.a] 2. Summarize the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Write a paragraph summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. In your paragraph, consider the following: how the Articles protected the rights of the states; what duties they gave Congress; and what limits they placed on Congress. [VUS.5.a] 3. Compare and Contrast the Virginia and New Jersey Plans Interpret the chart below and then write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the Virginia and New Jersey Plans presented at the Constitutional Convention. In your paragraph, identify one difference and one similarity between the plans, and explain why small states might have favored one plan while large states favored another. [VUS.1.c, VUS.1.e, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.b] 4. Analyze the Great Compromise Write a paragraph analyzing how the Great Compromise settled the debate over the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. In your paragraph, be sure to: describe the two sides in the debate; explain the terms of the Great Compromise; and identify what each side gained and lost in the deal. [VUS.1.d, VUS.1.h, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.b] Virginia and New Jersey Plans 5. Analyze the Three-Fifths Compromise Write a paragraph analyzing how the Three-Fifths Compromise settled disagreements about representation and slavery at the Constitutional Convention. In your paragraph, be sure to: describe the two sides in the debate; and explain how the compromise worked. [VUS.1.d, VUS.1.h, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.b] 6. Identify the Influence of the Federalist Papers Write a paragraph identifying the role the Federalist Papers played in the ratification of the Constitution and the influence of this document on the U.S. system of government. In your paragraph, be sure to identify the purpose of the Federalist Papers; identify who wrote the Federalist Papers; and identify the influence of the Federalist Papers. [VUS.1.f, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.c] 7. According to the plan of the convention, all judges who may be appointed by the United States are to hold their offices during good behavior.... The standard of good behavior for the continuance in office of the judicial magistracy, is certainly one of the most valuable of the modern improvements in the practice of government. In a monarchy it is an excellent barrier to the despotism of the prince; in a republic it is a no less excellent barrier to the encroachments and oppressions of the representative body. And it is the best expedient which can be devised in any government, to secure a steady, upright, and impartial administration of the laws Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 78 VIRGINIA PLAN Population as basis for house representation Two houses with seats based on population One house is elected by the people, the other house by state legislators Chief executive is chosen by the legislature Judicial branch is chosen by the legislature Three branches of government to prevent abuse of power Legislative branch consists of elected representatives NEW JERSEY PLAN Drafted in response to Virginia Plan One house with one seat and one vote regardless of population as in the Articles of Confederation Executive branch consists of several executives Judicial branch is chosen by the executive branch 153
Virginia Topic 4 Assessment Synthesize Evidence to Assess the Arguments of Alexander Hamilton Use the quotation shown here and information from other sources to write a paragraph analyzing Alexander Hamilton s argument in The Federalist No. 78 about why federal judges should serve life terms as long as they exhibit good behavior. Answer the following questions in your paragraph: What argument does Hamilton make in the quotation above about the benefits of life terms for good behaving judges? Why do you think long terms would provide these benefits? [VUS.1.a, VUS.1.d, VUS.1.h, VUS.1.j, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.c] 8. If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be... a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.... On comparing the Constitution planned by the convention with the standard here fixed, we perceive at once that it is, in the most rigid sense, conformable to it. The House of Representatives, like that of one branch at least of all the State legislatures, is elected immediately by the great body of the people. The Senate, like the present Congress, and the Senate of Maryland, derives its appointment indirectly from the people. The President is indirectly derived from the choice of the people, according to the example in most of the States. James Madison, The Federalist No. 39 Synthesize Evidence to Assess the Arguments of James Madison Use the quotation shown here and information from other sources to write a paragraph analyzing James Madison s argument in The Federalist No. 39 about the republican form of government outlined in the Constitution. [VUS.1.a, VUS.1.d, VUS.1.h, VUS.1.j, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.c] 9. Describe the Ratification of the Constitution Write a paragraph summarizing the key events and debates leading to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In your paragraph, answer the following questions: what arguments did the Federalists make in favor of the Constitution? Why did the Antifederalists oppose the Constitution? [VUS.1.d, VUS.1.h, VUS.5.a, VUS.5.b, VUS.5.c] 10. Explain the Origins of the Bill of Rights Write a paragraph explaining why and how the Bill of Rights was written and adopted. In your paragraph answer the following questions: What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights? Which political group supported its adoption? [VUS.5.a, VUS.5.b] 11. Analyze the Principle of Popular Sovereignty Write a paragraph analyzing the principle of popular sovereignty. In your paragraph, make sure to do the following: identify what popular sovereignty is; analyze why it was a revolutionary idea; and analyze how this principle is reflected in the Constitution. [VUS.5.a] 12. Analyze the Principle of Limited Government Write a paragraph analyzing the principle of limited government. In your paragraph, be sure to: identify what limited government means; and explain how this principle is reflected in the Constitution. [VUS.5.a] 13. Analyze the Principle of Checks and Balances Write a paragraph analyzing the principle of checks and balances. In your paragraph, be sure to: identify what is meant by checks and balances; and provide examples of how the different branches can check each other. [VUS.5.a] 14. Explain Federalism in the Constitution Write a paragraph analyzing the principle of federalism. In your paragraph, be sure to: explain what federalism means; and describe how it is reflected in the system of government established by the constitution. [VUS.5.a] 15. Identify the significance of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Write a paragraph identifying the role the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom played in the framing of the Bill of Rights. In your paragraph, be sure to note specific provisions in the Bill of Rights that show the influence of each of these earlier documents. [VUS.1.a, VUS.1.d, VUS.1.g, VUS.1.j, VUS.5.a] 16. Write about the Essential Question Use evidence from your study of this Topic to answer the question: What is the role of government? [VUS.5.a] Go ONLINE to practice PearsonSchool.com ASSESSMENT
PearsonSchool.com Go online to PearsonRealize.com and use the texts, quizzes, interactivities, Interactive Reading Notepads, Flipped Videos, and other resources from this Topic to prepare for the Topic Test. Texts Quizzes Interactivities Interactive Reading Notepads Flipped Videos While online you can also check the progress you ve made learning the topic and course content by viewing your grades, test scores, and assignment status. 155
Topic 4 EOC Practice 1 One of the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was that it gave A the national government too little power B state governments too little power C larger states more votes in Congress than smaller states D overreaching power to the executive branch 2 The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom became the basis for F the preamble to the Constitution G the First Amendment to the Constitution H the Articles of Confederation J the Great Compromise 156
3 Which of the following ideas was part of James Madison s Virginia Plan? A an executive committee rather than a singular President B the power of the national Congress to veto any state law C a unicameral legislature with all states having equal representation D the abolition of slavery throughout all states and new territories 4 Under the Great Compromise, what factor was used to determine the number of representatives from each state in the House of Representatives? F equal representation for every state, regardless of size G the role the state had played in the Revolutionary War H an estimate of the state s population J the number of delegates the state had at the Constitutional Convention If you have trouble with... Question 1 2 3 4 See Lesson 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.2 VA Standards VUS.5.a VUS.5.a VUS.5.b VUS.5.b 157
Topic 4 EOC Practice 5 Which of the following is an argument of a Federalist? A States should have more power than the national government. B The Articles of Confederation provided a strong government that should be continued. C A strong central government is necessary for governing a nation. D Individual rights could be at risk under a strong central government. 6 Which of the following features of the Constitution represents a concession to the Antifederalists? F the increase in the powers of the central government G the indirect election of the President through the electoral college H the provision of life terms for federal judges J the addition of the Bill of Rights 158
7 As a result of the French and Indian War A Britain s national debt doubled while its colonial territories were greatly reduced B the relationship between American Indians and colonists was strengthened C Britain s national debt doubled and its colonial territories significantly expanded D the relationship between the British and colonists was strengthened 8 What leadership role for the war effort came out of the Second Continental Congress? F Thomas Jefferson was asked to draft the Declaration of Independence. G Paul Revere was given leadership of the Patriot militia. H George Washington was given command of the Loyalist Army. J George Washington was given command of the Continental Army. If you have trouble with... Question 5 6 7 8 See Lesson 4.3 4.3 3.1, 3.2 3.3 VA Standards VUS.5.c VUS.5.c VUS.4.a VUS.4.c Go ONLINE to practice 159 PearsonSchool.com ASSESSMENT