Question

Which of the following would give a historian the clearest insight into the reasons for the way the Constitution was written?

• A. Minutes and transcripts of debates to the Constitutional Convention
• B. The diary of a Convention delegate such as James Madison or Benjamin Franklin
• C. A copy of the Federalist Papers
• D. Newspaper editorials published during the Constitutional Convention
• E. A copy of the Constitution

Answer 1

The correct option is A Minutes and transcripts of debates to the Constitutional Convention

The diary would give only one person's opinions; the Federalist Papers discuss only one side of the issue; there were no newspaper editorials published because the debates were secret; and the finished Constitution does not reveal the debate that went into its making.