Our Very First Government
Democracy in
Danger
The Men at the
Meeting
Bigger is Better
Size Doesn't
Matter
100
What was the name of the very first government created after the colonies won their independence from Great Britain?
the Articles of Confederation
100
What was the event that made all 13 states realize they needed to create a new government to replace the first one?
Shays' Rebellion
100
In what month and year was the Constitutional Convention held?
May 1787
100
How many branches of government did the Virginia Plan call for?
3
100
How many branches of government did the New Jersey Plan call for?
3
200
How many branches did this government have?
one
200
What caused the farmers in Massachusetts to revolt?
the state government was foreclosing on their farms for nonpayment of taxes
200
Give one characteristic that the men who attended shared.
wealthy, white, upper class, previous political experience
200
How many houses would the Virginia Plan’s legislature have?
2
200
How many houses would the New Jersey Plan’s legislature have?
1
300
Name one power that the national government had under this government.
borrow money, establish military by asking states, can settle disputes between states
300
Why wasn’t the national government able to respond quickly to the revolt in Massachusetts?
had to rely on the states for an army
300
Who became known as the Father of the Constitution?
James Madison
300
According to the Virginia Plan, how would you determine how many people a state got to send to Congress?
by the state’s population
300
According to the New Jersey Plan, how would you determine how many people a state got to send to Congress?
every state would get an equal number
400
Give one problem that arose because of the way this government was structured.
no one to carry out laws, no power to tax, no courts, could not regulate trade
400
As a result of the revolt in Massachusetts, what meeting was called?
The Constitutional Convention
400
Who acted as the chairman of the meeting?
George Washington
400
What type of states supported the Virginia Plan?
states with large populations
400
What types of states supported the New Jersey Plan?
states with small populations
500
Why were all the attempts to fix the problems with this government unsuccessful?
all 13 states had to approve changes and they couldn’t agree
500
In what year and month did this revolt take place?
January 1787
500
Name an important person from this time that was unable to attend the meeting.
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams
500

"Father of the Constitution"

Who is James Madiso?

500
Who proposed the New Jersey Plan?
William Paterson
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