Question

step 3: multiple choice comprehension check

1. what concern does marshall have about the bicentennial celebration?

a. he believes it doesnt give enough credit to george washington and the founders.
b. he worries the celebration ignores how the constitution excluded many people.
c. he thinks its unnecessary to celebrate something that old.
d. he wants the celebration to be more patriotic and emotional.

1. what does marshall mean when he says the government \was defective from the start\?

a. the framers made errors in spelling and grammar in the constitution.
b. the u.s. government didnt have enough money or resources in 1787.
c. the constitution originally allowed unfair systems like slavery and inequality.
d. the founders forgot to include a bill of rights in the original document.

1. who was originally included in \we the people,\ according to marshall? who was left out?

a. all american citizens, including enslaved people and women.
b. only white, land - owning men — while women and enslaved people were excluded.
c. all free men, including immigrants.
d. everyone living in the colonies, including indigenous people.

1. how does marshall use the history of slavery to criticize the framers compromises?

a. he argues they ended slavery too quickly without a plan.
b. he says they allowed slavery to continue for economic and political convenience.
c. he praises them for trying to end slavery but being overruled by britain.
d. he blames northern states for writing slavery into the constitution directly.

1. what example does he give of how legal principles shaped the lives of black americans?

a. they were enslaved, freed, and later gained rights — all through laws.
b. they always had equal rights but didnt know how to use them.
c. they were granted equality after the civil war and immediately prospered.
d. they used the legal system to help write the constitution themselves.

1. according to marshall, who deserves credit for improving the meaning of \we the people\?

a. the framers of the constitution.
b. the presidents who came after the civil war.
c. the citizens and activists who fought to expand equality and rights.
d. the supreme court justices who kept the constitution unchanged.

1. how does marshall define the true miracle of the constitution?

a. its survival and growth through two centuries of struggle and change.
b. the fact that it was written in only a few months.
c. the founders ability to agree on every issue.
d. it is perfect wording that never needed to be amended.

Explanation:

1. Question 1: The Constitution's exclusion of many (like enslaved people) is a key concern.
2. Question 2: The original Constitution allowed unfair systems (slavery, inequality).
3. Question 3: Only white, land - owning men were included; women and enslaved excluded.
4. Question 4: Framers allowed slavery for economic/political convenience.
5. Question 5: Black Americans' lives (enslaved, freed, rights) shaped by laws.
6. Question 6: Citizens/activists fought for equality/rights (improved "We the People").
7. Question 7: Constitution's survival/growth through struggle/change.

Answer:

1. b. He worries the celebration ignores how the Constitution excluded many people.
2. c. The Constitution originally allowed unfair systems like slavery and inequality.
3. b. Only white, land - owning men — while women and enslaved people were excluded.
4. b. He says they allowed slavery to continue for economic and political convenience.
5. a. They were enslaved, freed, and later gained rights — all through laws.
6. c. The citizens and activists who fought to expand equality and rights.
7. a. Its survival and growth through two centuries of struggle and change.