The Convening of the Constitution Convention

1. The Convening of the Constitution Convention May, 1787 __________, Pennsylvania Philadelphia

2. We will familiarize ourselves with the group of men we call our Founding Fathers and then distinguishthe different political ideologies of the framers of the Constitution using biocards, business cards, a simulation, and a biopoem.

3. Strengths… • Winning the American war for ___________ • Negotiating the ___________ • NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787 and the Ordinance of 1787 which provided a way for ___________ to become equal states and established that slavery would NOT exist in the western territories of ________, _______, and ______. Independence Treaty of Paris of 1783 Territories Indiana Illinois Ohio

4. Weaknesses • No _________ • No power to ______ • No authority to create national army • No ability to solve conflicts among ______ • No national courts • Requiring that ___/13 states had to agree to pass a law • Requiring that ___/13 states had to agree to any change to the Articles of Confederation Executive Tax States 9 13

5. So what does this mean in real life?

6. Daniel Shays was a hero from war whose land was being repossessed. Monies given to Shays and other soldiers was worthless. Still owed by national government. Shays and farmers loyal to him and in debt blockaded the court house so that no legal proceedings could occur. For 5 months, they held the government at bay until finally being defeated early in 1787. Shays’ Rebellion

7. Shay’s Rebellion “I predict the worst consequences from a half-starved, limping government, always moving upon crutches and tottering at every step…I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation without having lodged somewhere a power which will pervade the whole Union in as energetic a manner as the authority of the state governments extends over the several states.” George Washington “…if the present paroxysm of our affairs be totally neglected, our case may become desperate.” James Madison

8. Shay’s Rebellion Feelings of Founding Fathers “I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned in any country…What a triumph for the advocates of despotism, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious.” George Washington “Rebellion against a kin may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who date to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death.” Sam Adams “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.” Thomas Jefferson

9. Pennsylvania State HouseIndependence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Early in 1787, Congress adopted a resolution in favor of this proposal and invited the 13 states to send representatives to Philadelphia in May “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”

10. Participants George Washington elected unanimously to serve as chairman of the proceedings. James Madison Benjamin Franklin John Dickinson Elbridge Gerry Alexander Hamilton Gouverneur Morris William Patterson Edmund Randolph Roger Sherman plus 45 others “this was a convention of the well-bred, the well-fed, the well-read, and the well-wed.” James MacGregor Burns • Attributes of participants: • Early 40s in age • Wealthy • Established families • Well educated • Planters, large-scale farmers, lawyers, and state officeholders • Over a third owned slaves

11. Who Wasn’t There? Thomas Jefferson was in France negotiating trade agreements. John Adams was in England representing American interests. Thomas Paine Sam Adams Patrick Henry refused to attend saying he “smelt a rat.”

12. Read the short biography. Examine the poster, and read the quote. Complete the biocard. Then design a business card for your Founding Father that includes… NAME STATE BEING REPRESENTED JOB SYMBOL POSITION ON CONSTITUTION Now it’s your turn to get to know one of our Founding Fathers

13. Your Task – Being a Framer of the Constitution, a Founding Father • Ist create a business card representing one of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention to share with your classmates in a role play. • REQUIREMENTS: • Your card must contain the following information about your representative: • Name • Home state with city if possible – which state are they representing, not where born? • Job/Occupation • A symbol that represents their personality, beliefs, or job. • Position on the role of government: Are you a federalist or anti-federalist? What kind of government do you want to form? PROCEDURE: Make 3 Exact Copies of Your Card. (1 for your spiral, 2 to share) • When directed, stand up, walk, and introduce your founding father to 2 classmates, exchanging cards as you do. • When time is called, sit back down, and be ready to introduce one of the founding fathers you met on your walk. • Decide, is that founding father a Federalist or Anti-Federalist. • Pin the card on the T-chart

14. Example Benjamin Franklin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Printer, Inventor, Scientist Efficiency is a must. The Articles must go, and a stronger government must be created if we are to survive. Name of participant Home Address Occupation/Job Symbol of personality Position on government Education (optional) Marriage/Kids (optional) Other information (optional)

15. Reflection – Closure - Homework • 5 people at the Constitutional Convention • 4 reasons the Articles of Confederation needed revising • 3 people who supported a strong, federal government. • 2 people who were not there. • 1 person who did NOT approve of a strong, national government.