Road to Constitution Movie

BACKGROUND
1787 United States was in crisis

Gov under Articles of Confederation NOT

effective
No national executive, no real Judicial branch
(Congress acted as Judicial), Legislature was
unicameral

Congress was limited in its powers- so

they didnt interfere with the individual
states powers
Spring 1787 Alexander Hamilton
organized a convention to take place in
Philadelphias Independence Hall.

Constitutional Convention
May 25, 1787
12 of the 13 states sent delegates
Rhode Island boycotted

Many were wealthy planters or

lawyers who owned slaves

Key Members
Leader
George Washington

Oldest Delegate
Benjamin Franklin (81 years)

Father of Constitution
James Madison; took copious notes

Large
Small
Who came?
States
States
Maryland (5
delegates)
Massachusetts (4
delegates)
New York (3
delegates)
North Carolina (5
delegates)

Connecticut (3
delegates)
Delaware (5
delegates)
Georgia (5 delegates)
New Hampshire (2
delegates)

New Jersey (5

Issues:
REPRESENTATION
SLAVERY

 You will each represent a delegate

from one of the states that sent a
representative to the Constitutional
Convention.
Please sit in one of the desks
President you will be represent
George Washington

 As a state, write all of

your names on your
packet.
Work on pages 1 & 2 * you will use page 3 for the Census

 Washington will now

conduct the meeting!
Call on each state to share their
information
Each state will answer the question
before moving on to the next one
ie. Call on each state to read their
answer to #1, once all states have
answered do the same for #2, and
so on.

As each state is reading

Compromise:

Day 2

Build a

Learning Target
I can interpret texts and work as a group
to develop a plan to fix the Articles of
Confederation.

States Period 1
Pennsylvania
Demetrio, Sesi,
Molly, Chayeh,
Joseph P, Nicole,
Sebastian, Christian

Virginia
Lucia, Rodman, Joe
F, Andrew, Weslie,
Jenny, Erick

Massachusetts
Foster, Henry,
Oscar, Amy, Karla,
Gannon, Doug,
Israel

New Hampshire
JJ, Diego, Hannah,
Araceli, Taylor

Georgia
Chi, Samuel, Levi,
Payton, Lupe, Mauri

Delaware

Cesar, Rose, Arturo,

Alan, Angie, Danielle

S
T
A
T
E

PO
PUL
ATI
ON

S %
L PO
A P
V ENS
E LAV
P ED
O
P.

P 433, 3, 0.8
A 611 70 %
7
V 747, 29 39

States Period 7
Pennsylvania
Lili, Luis C, Amanda,
Ericka, Cristina,
Breida, Isa

Virginia
Kasey, Carlos,
Stormy, Ryan,
Taylor, Madie

Massachusetts
Braydn, Brandon,
Morgan, Steph,
Maya, Anthony
,Nathan

New Hampshire
Julian, Tasha, Alva,
Luis P, Jake

Georgia
Adreck, Gustaf,
Nicole, Roger,
Garian

Delaware

Addie, Johanna,
Kiely, Jaewook

S
T
A
T
E

PO
PUL
ATI
ON

S %
L PO
A P
V ENS
E LAV
P ED
O
P.

P 433, 3, 0.8
A 611 70 %
7
V 747, 29 39

CommitteesPeriod 1
Representation:
Demetrio, Hannah

Powers of Judicial: Foster,

Payton, Christian

Womens Rights: Sesi, Powers of Executive:

Taylor, Amy, Doug
Lucia, Weslie, Diego, Levi
Powers of Congress:
Joseph P, Angie, Alan, Israel

Interstate Relations:
Molly, Jenny, Oscar,Arutro,
Cesar
Federalism: Nicole,
Rodman, Henry, Araceli

Slavery: JJ, Rose, Chayeh,

Executive/Legislative
Erick, Gannon
Relationship: Chi, Andrew,
Karla, Danielle
Term limits: Joe F,
Sebastian, Samuel

CommitteesPeriod 7
Representation: Luis C, Powers of Judicial: Adreck,
Madie
Kasey, Julian
Womens Rights: Lili,
Amanda, Ericka, Luis P
Interstate Relations:
Carlos, Ryan, Tasha, Ezra
Slavery: Stormy,
Brandon, Jake, Johanna

Powers of Executive:
Morgan, Nathan, Jaewook
Powers of Congress:
Addie, Kiely, Anthony
Federalism: Alva, Roger,
Taylor, Maya, Alyssa
Executive/Legislative
Relationship: Gustaf, Steph
Term limits: Braydn, Garian,
Nicole

Whole Convention
Debate: Rules
President of Body:
Recorder:
One state, one vote
Majority needed to pass
If dont pass, re-visit as a whole
Convention, with time for
proposal/debate.

Reflection on Margin
How hard is it to
compromise? Explain.
Do you feel like your voice
was heard? Explain.

A More Perfect Union

34:00-51:00

The U.S.
Constitution
Est. 1787

Learning Target
I can compare the compromises from
our Classs Convention with the reallife compromises in the US
Constitution.

Powers of Congress
US Constitution
Senate tries
Impeachments
Taxes, borrow money,
coin money
Regulate commerce
with other nations,
among the states, and
with the Indian tribes
Copyright laws
Declare War, support
armies, a navy

Class Constitution

Representation
US Constitution

House of
Representatives: 1
for every 30,000
people
Senate: each state
gets two, chosen
by the state
legislatures

Class Constitution

Federalism
US Constitution
States cant enter into
treaties, alliances, or
wars
States cant tax
exports/imports
without the consent of
Congress
Congress has to
approve changes to
state boundaries and
creations

Class Constitution

Powers of the Judiciary

US Constitution

1 Supreme Court
Power to try
cases involving
ambassadors,
the United
States, between
two states,
between citizens
of different

Class Constitution

Powers of the Executive

US Constitution
President is the
Commander in Chief
of the Armed Forces
Can grant pardons
except in cases of
impeachment
On extraordinary
occasions, convene
or adjourn the two
Houses
Receive Ambassadors
Take care that the

Class Constitution

Term Limits
US Constitution
House: every 2 years
Senate: every 6 years
(but there are
elections for 1/3 of the
Senate every 2 years)
President: 4 years (at
this point, no term
limits)
Judges: hold office
during good Behavior
(for life)

Class Constitution

Executive/Legislative
Relationship
US Constitution
Congress passes laws,
President signs or vetos; if
a veto, Congress can pass
a bill with 2/3 majority over
the veto
With the advice and
consent of the Senate:
Make treaties, appoint
ambassadors, Judges of
the Supreme Court,
other Appointments
State of the Union address
from time to time

Class Constitution

Slavery
US Constitution
Representatives and
taxes apportioned based
on population
The whole of free
person + 3/5ths of all
other persons bound
to service for a term of
years and excluding
Indians not taxed
Congress wont touch
slavery until 1808, but a
$10 tax can be put on
each slave imported

Class Constitution

Womens Rights
US Constitution

Not mentioned
in the original
Constitution

Class Constitution

Interstate Relations
US Constitution
All states are equal
regarding tradeone
cant tax higher than
the other
Full faith and credit
given to each state
for each others laws
Always a citizen
Fugitives (charged
with treason, felony,
or other crimes) need

Class Constitution

Ratification
US Constitution
Approved by Congress
September 17, 1787
BUT, needed to be ratified
by at least 9 states
9 states ratified, but
Virginia and New York
hadnt yet; two key states
everyone was waiting on
Promise of a Bill of
Rights protecting
citizens from the
government
September 13, 1788
delegates met and set

Class Constitution

On your chart:
Describe at least 3 differences between your Class
Constitution and the US Constitution.

Learning Targets:

1. I can explain why slavery was

kept in the Constitution.
2. I can prepare an outline for
the Unit Paper

A More Perfect Union

Slavery
51:43-107:00

D of I
What were some of
the grievances
mentioned in the
Declaration of
Independence?

Slavery in Constitution
Historical Document Analysis

Slavery Grievance
Answer Guiding Questions 1, 2, 3

 He did this by captivating and

carrying them into slavery in another
hemisphere if they did not die a
miserable death in their
transportation to this new world.
He has stopped every attempt to
prohibit or to restrain the disgusting
business of slavery. He is determined
to keep open a market where men
are bought and sold.

 Who is Thomas Jefferson blaming for

slavery?

Thomas Jefferson
owned slaves. Do you
believe that he really
opposed slavery?
Why might he have
wanted to include the
grievance in the

The slavery grievance didnt make it

into the Declaration of Independence
in 1776, but the document did claim
that, all men are created equal.
Eleven years later, in 1787, the
founders drafted the Constitution and
they didnt eliminate slavery.
This raises the question:

Why did the founding fathers keep

slavery in the CONSTIUTION if the
Declaration of Independence claimed,
all men are created equal?

 Overall did these men realize that

slavery was a problem?
Who thought it was a problem?
Who didnt?
For those who did think it was a
problem, why didnt they do anything
to abolish slavery?

Project Time
Stamp Check your Rough Drafts!

Learning Targets:
1. I can explain both sides of the
Federalist v. Anti-Federalist debate.

Aftermath of the WAR

Americans had to create their own political system
Their common goal was the war, but now they were
reluctant to unite under a strong central government

REPUBLIC

DEMOCRACY

Many favored a republic: a government in which

citizens rule through their elected representatives
Many feared a democracy: rule by the people, because
it placed the power in the uneducated masses

Articles of Confederation
=outlined the form of the new
government of the United States
(adopted by the Second Continental
Congress in 1777)
New government is called a
confederation, or alliance among the
13 states
Each state had one vote, regardless
of population
National powers: declare war, make
peace, sign treaties, borrow money,
set standards for coins, postal
service

PROBLEMS with the

Confederation:
Each state functioned
independently by
pursuing its own
interests rather than
considering those of the
nation as a whole
Government had NO
means of raising money
or enforcing laws
NO national court
system to settle legal
disputes
Little unity among states

Creating a New
Government
Two issues:
1. Large verses Small States
2. Slavery

Issue # 1 Large States Vs.

Small States
Virginia Plan (James Madison)=
bicameral, or 2 house legislature,
with membership based on each
states population
New Jersey Plan (William
Paterson)= single-house congress in
which each state had an equal vote

Great Compromise

Suggested by Roger Sherman

Two-house Congress to satisfy
both the small and large states
Each state has equal
representation in the Senate
(upper house)
Size of each state would determine
it representation in the House of
Representatives (lower house)

Issue # 2: Slavery

Southern delegates wanted to

include slaves in the population
count

3/5 Compromise:
slaves counted for 3/5 a person

Federalism:
= power is divided between a national
government and several state governments
Enumerated Powers= powers granted to
National Government
Reserved Powers= powers granted to States

Separation of Powers
3 Branches of Government:
Legislative: Make laws
Executive: Carry out laws
Judicial: Interpret the laws and settle
disputes
Checks and Balances
Electoral College: Each state would choose
a number of electors equal to the
number of senators and representatives
that the state had in Congress. These
electors cast their votes for presidential
candidates

Federalists:
Wanted a strong central
government
ARGUMENTS:
In order for the states to band together
and become unified, a strong central
government was needed.
A strong central government could
represent the nation to other countries.
A strong central government could control
individual states that wouldnt cooperate
with the rest.
Best protect individuals freedoms & rights

Anti-Federalists:
Small Central Government

They believe that local governments

understood the citizens needs and would
protect them best.

ARGUMENTS:
Opposed parts of Constitution that
limited States power
Afraid that State governments
eventually lose their independence &
influence
Argued that Constitution did not
guarantee citizens specific rights
Afraid that a strong central government

Ratifying the
Constitution

Signed September 17, 1787

At least 9 states had to ratify or approve the
Constitution

Federalists &
Antifederalists

Federalists=
supporters of the
Constitution, like the
balance between large
and small states
Antifederalists=
Opposed having a
strong central
government and were
against the
Constitution

What type of Gov did the

Federalists & AntiFederalists prefer?

Read through the Hamilton &

Melancton Smith Documents; once
you have read through these, fill out
the graphic organizer.

With a partner
discuss:

What was Hamiltons position on

representation?
What was Smiths position?
What arguments did they make to
support their claims?
Based on these arguments, what type of
people would you guess tended to be
Federalists? Anti-Federalists?
If you could have chosen, what side
would you have supported?
Do you see versions of these issues
being debated today?

FEDR ANTIALIST FEDE

S
RALIS
TS
Alexande
r
Hamilton,
James
Madison,
John Jayall known
as
Publius
(Federali
st
Papers)
Property
owners,
landed

Thomas
Jefferson
,
Brutus
and
Cato

Small
Farmers,
shopkeep

The Federalist
Series of 85 essays defending
the Constitution (Federalists)
Essays written by three
influential supporters: Alexander
Hamilton, James Madison, and
John Jay
Used the pen name, Publius
Admitted there were flaws in the
Constitution, but thought that a
strong Central government was
better than a weak and small
government

Antifederalists
Argued that the new
Constitution denied the rights
of the people
Leaders: Patrick Henry, George
Mason, and Richard Henry Lee
Demanded for a Bill of Rightsa formal summary of citizens
rights and freedom

What actually
happened:

New York ratified the Constitution by a

vote of 30-27 (the narrowest margin of
victory of any state that met in 17871788)
The Anti-Federalists lost the battle but
won the war. The first 10 amendments
to the Constitution (Bill of Rights) were
ratified in 1791. These addressed many
of the issues that the Anti-Federalists
raised in the conventions.

Constitution

Oldest written national constitution still in use

Living document

capable of meeting the changing Americans

Elastic Clause= stretches the power of the

government
Can also change through the amendments

Bill of Rights

= 10 amendments to the Constitution

Did not apply to ALL Americans at first (Native
Americans and slaves)
Women were not mentioned in the Constitution

 1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, &

petition.
2. Right to bear arms & maintain militia
3. No quartering of soldiers
4. No unreasonable search & seizures
5. Right to due process of law- no selfincrimination, double jeopardy
6. Rights of the accused ie. Speedy trial by jury
7. Right of trial by jury in civil cases
8. Freedom from excessive bail, cruel & unusual
punishments
9. Other rights of people not mentioned in
constitution
10. Powers reserved to the states

Check Rough Drafts!

Question 1
Who would say:
The Constitution gives the
federal government enough
power to overpower the
states.

Question 2
Who would say:
It will not be possible for the
federal government to
overpower the states,
because the states are a
necessary part of the federal
government.

Question 3
Who would say:
The Constitution contains no
Bill of Rights to protect
individual liberties like
freedom of speech, trial by
jury, and the right against
searches and seizures.

Question 4
Who would say:
The Constitution says federal
laws are the supreme law of
the land, so the federal
government could just take
complete control.

Question 5
Who would say:
Nothing in the Constitution
says the federal government
has power to limit peoples
freedoms in the first place.

Question 6
Who would say:
The Constitution gives the
federal government just a few
powers that are very well
defined.

Question 7
Who would say:
The President created by the
Constitution is really just a
King.

Question 8
Who would say:
A strong President is
necessary to protect the
country against foreign attack
and make sure laws are
carried out properly.

Question 9
Who would say:
The constitution creates a
Supreme Court that is too
powerful because the judges
dont answer to anyone.

Question 10
Who would say:
The constitution already
contains a few rights, so we
may as well add a whole Bill
of Rights.

Question 11
Who would say:
The Supreme Court is the
weakest branch of
government because it
doesnt control the military
and cant pass laws.

Question 12
Who would say:
The constitution forbids
creating titles of nobility like
Duke or King, so the
government will always
belong to the people.

Question 13
Who would say:
The United States is too large
to have a central
government. People wont
know their leaders and will
lose control over their
government.

Question 14
Who would say:
The constitution is a Bill of
Rights because it guarantees
citizens a role in government.

AA MORE PERFECT
UNION

A More Perfect Union:

The American colonists used violence to disobey Great Britain and
obtain the right to rule themselves.
Do you feel that it was right for colonists to do this?
Was George was a bad king?
Do you think Americans were bad colonists? Why or why not?
George Washington became the first President of the United States.
Why Washington was a good choice for this important position?
What important ideas are contained in the Declaration of
Independence?
What do the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
mean to you personally?
Constitutionalism means using a written list of laws to limit the
powers of government.
Do you think that using a constitution to limit government is a
good idea.