Which of the following statements most accurately analyzes how the Philadelphia Convention shaped the new national government?
A) It provided Federalists and Anti-Federalists with an opportunity to air their grievances against the tyranny of British colonial rule.
B) It prevented Federalists from establishing a central government headed by a royal monarch, which was their original aim.
C) It offered delegates the opportunity to tweak the Articles of Confederation to ensure that states’ rights were protected.
D) It allowed delegates to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by envisioning a strong federal government.
I beleive the answer is either D or C, but my first "guess" thing would be D
Yes, D.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the statements and consider the key ideas behind the Philadelphia Convention.
A) The Philadelphia Convention was not primarily focused on airing grievances against British colonial rule. It was convened to address the weaknesses of the existing government structure under the Articles of Confederation and to create a new national government. Therefore, option A can be eliminated.
B) While the Philadelphia Convention did prevent the establishment of a central government headed by a royal monarch, this statement does not accurately reflect the full scope of the Convention's purpose. It was about more than just preventing monarchy; it sought to form a new government to replace the one under the Articles of Confederation. Thus, option B can also be eliminated.
C) The statement about tweaking the Articles of Confederation to ensure states' rights were protected is partially accurate. Some delegates did come to the Convention with the intention of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, as the Convention progressed, it became clear that a more extensive reformation was necessary. The delegates decided to draft an entirely new framework of government, leading to the creation of the United States Constitution. Therefore, option C is not the most accurate statement.
D) The Philadelphia Convention's primary objective was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The delegates aimed to establish a stronger federal government that could effectively govern the nation. Through much deliberation and compromise, they developed a framework that outlined the powers and structure of the federal government, which eventually became the United States Constitution. Option D correctly captures the essence of the Convention's purpose and the outcome.
Therefore, the most accurate analysis of how the Philadelphia Convention shaped the new national government is option D.