Understanding the Articles of Confederation and the Founding Fathers

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| Questions: 15 | Updated: Nov 11, 2025
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1. What was the role of the Confederation Congress in the mid-1780s?

Explanation

The Confederation Congress was the only form of central government under the Articles of Confederation, but by the mid-1780s it was unpopular and ineffective. This led to the Congress meeting to amend the Articles of Confederation in order to address its shortcomings and improve its functionality.

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About This Quiz
Understanding The Articles Of Confederation And The Founding Fathers - Quiz

Explore the foundational elements of America's first constitution with this focus on the Articles of Confederation. Understand the powers and limitations it placed on the government, enhancing your knowledge of early American political structure.

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2. Who was Alexander Hamilton?

Explanation

Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the early history of the United States, playing a significant role in shaping the country's financial system and government structure through his various positions and beliefs.

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3. Who was James Madison?

Explanation

James Madison was a key figure in the founding of the United States and played a vital role in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. He was a Federalist, which was a political party in early American history that supported a strong central government. His contributions to the Annapolis Convention, opposition to the Bill of Rights, and involvement in the creation of the Virginia Plan showcase his influence in shaping the early American government.

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4. Who were the 'Founding Fathers'?

Explanation

The 'Founding Fathers' refer to the group of men who attended the conventions to create the Constitution in 1787, not the signers of the Declaration of Independence or military leaders.

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5. What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

Explanation

The Constitutional Convention was convened to discuss reforms to the Articles of Confederation which were deemed inadequate. The result was the creation of the United States Constitution in 1787.

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6. What was the basis of the Virginia Plan?

Explanation

The Virginia Plan proposed a government with three branches and a bicameral legislature, with the lower house being elected by the people and the upper house being elected by members of the lower house.

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7. Who proposed the first plan for government at the Constitutional Congress?

Explanation

Edmund Randolph proposed the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Congress, outlining a structure for the new government.

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8. Who proposed the New Jersey Plan as an alternative to the Virginia Plan during the Constitutional Convention?

Explanation

During the Constitutional Convention, William Patterson proposed the New Jersey Plan as an alternative to the Virginia Plan, which countered the Virginia Plan's call for proportional representation in Congress based on population.

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9. What does Popular Sovereignty refer to?

Explanation

Popular Sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

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10. What did Federalists value?

Explanation

Federalists were proponents of a stronger national government and the correct answer highlights their beliefs. The three incorrect answers provided are opposite to the true beliefs of Federalists, showing the contrast in their ideologies.

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11. Who was John Jay and what was his role in negotiating with Great Britain?

Explanation

John Jay was not the President of the United States, leader of the British Parliament, or the French ambassador to the United States. His role as a special commissioner and chief justice of the Supreme Court was to negotiate with England, as detailed in the correct answer.

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12. What was the pen name used to publish the Federalist papers?

Explanation

The correct answer is Publius, which was the pen name used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to publish the Federalist papers. The incorrect answers are notable figures in history but were not involved in the writing of the Federalist papers.

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13. What are the Federalist Papers?

Explanation

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of the U.S. Constitution. They were published in newspapers and later compiled into books, outlining the rationale and arguments for the Constitution's provisions.

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14. What political stance did Patrick Henry take?

Explanation

Patrick Henry was a prominent figure in the anti-federalist movement and argued for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution to protect individual liberties. He opposed the idea of a strong central government and was vocal about ensuring that state's rights were upheld.

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15. Who was known for advocating for the Bill of Rights and a weaker central government?

Explanation

Samuel Adams, an Anti-federalist, was a strong advocate for including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution and argued for a weaker central government to protect individual liberties.

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What was the role of the Confederation Congress in the mid-1780s?
Who was Alexander Hamilton?
Who was James Madison?
Who were the 'Founding Fathers'?
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
What was the basis of the Virginia Plan?
Who proposed the first plan for government at the Constitutional...
Who proposed the New Jersey Plan as an alternative to the Virginia...
What does Popular Sovereignty refer to?
What did Federalists value?
Who was John Jay and what was his role in negotiating with Great...
What was the pen name used to publish the Federalist papers?
What are the Federalist Papers?
What political stance did Patrick Henry take?
Who was known for advocating for the Bill of Rights and a weaker...
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