Forming a New Nation

Mrs. Hammersley's 4th Grade

How much do you know about the "Forming of a New Nation" after the American Revolution?

Answers are at the end of each question. Highlight the area just after the word Answer.
1. What is a state that is governed by the people called?
Answer: A commonwealth.

2. Name two Virginians who were opposed to the Constitution.
Answer: Patrick Henry and George Mason

3. What are the five freedoms listed in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights?
Answer: The five freedoms are: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition.

4. How many houses did the Virginia Plan recommend that the legislative or lawmaking branch have?
Answer: Two houses

5. How does the President reject a law he does not like?
Answer: He can veto it.

6. What are the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution called?
Answer: The Bill of Rights

7. Who wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson

8. What are the three branches of government?
Answer: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches

9. How many states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
Answer: Twelve

10. Who was chosen to be the president of the Constitutional Convention?
Answer: George Washington

11. Who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
Answer: George Mason

12. What is the name of the first constitution of the United States adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1788 by the Constitution?
Answer: Articles of Confederation

13. What's the name of the plan proposed by James Madison at the Constitutional Convention for establishing a new kind of government with three branches?
Answer: Virginia Plan

14. What was the law written by Thomas Jefferson in 1786 that gave Virginians the freedom to practice their religion as they wished?
Answer: Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

15. Who was the delegate to the Constitutional Convention who devised the Virginia Plan, was known as the "Father of the Constitution", and was elected the fourth President of the United States?
Answer: James Madison

16. What prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Answer: Checks and balances

17. What is a change in or an addition to the Constitution called?
Answer: Amendment

18. What is the name of a written document that explains how a country is to be governed?
Answer: Constitution