Explain how Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on central government and democracy are reflected in U.S. foundational documents.
Essential Knowledge:
Explain the ongoing impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system.
Compromises deemed necessary for adoption
and ratification of the Constitution are
represented by the: Great (Connecticut) Compromise, Electoral College, Three-Fifths Compromise, Compromise on the importation of slaves
Debates about self-government during the
drafting of the Constitution necessitated
the drafting of an amendment process in
Article V that entailed either a two-thirds vote
in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds
of the state legislatures, with final ratification
determined by three-fourths of the states.
Opener:
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 promoting independence from Great Britain to people in the 13 colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine made moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government.
“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. . . .Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed.
Arms, as the last resource, decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the king, and the continent hath accepted the challenge.” “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. ‘Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent. But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families . . .
I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew, a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived. . . .
Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART. . . .
As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. . . .
I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so . . .
O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!”
Activity # 1
The Constitutional Convention
The Articles of Confederation was clearly failing and Shays' Rebellion highlighted the problems the new government was having. As a result, Congress authorized states to send delegates in the summer of 1787 to Philadelphia to revise the Articles. This became known as the Constitutional Convention and led to the creation of the world's longest lasting written constitution. Central to the convention was the series of compromises made by the delegates to help achieve consensus.
Click here - Constitutional Convention Slides
The Articles of Confederation was clearly failing and Shays' Rebellion highlighted the problems the new government was having. As a result, Congress authorized states to send delegates in the summer of 1787 to Philadelphia to revise the Articles. This became known as the Constitutional Convention and led to the creation of the world's longest lasting written constitution. Central to the convention was the series of compromises made by the delegates to help achieve consensus.
Click here - Constitutional Convention Slides
Activity # 2 - Venn Diagram
Key Questions:
1. What were the key differences between the Virginia and New Jersey plans?
2. How did the Great Compromise solve the dilemma of representation?
3. How was the issue of slavery handled at the convention? How did that impact the future of our country?
Activitiy # 3:
Consequences of the Constitutional Convention Compromises
As we discussed yesterday, the Constitutional Convention was a series of compromises on issues ranging from equitable representation to how to handle slavery and the selection of the president. Those compromises still carry consequences today on our political system.
Key Question:
1. How do the compromises reached at the Constitutional Convention continue to impact our political system today?
Read and annotate (download the pdf, then click on Diigo-Annotate pdf, and then drag and drop the download) the following article, Big State, Small State on how the Great Compromise has led to the malapportionment of today's Senate and its impact on federal funding and policies. In your annotations, highlight what you consider to be the author's central claim and highlight in another color the author's supporting evidence. Include other notes and annotations on questions you have or quotes you think are worth discussing more.
After you read and annotate Big State, Small State, please watch (with your earbuds) the following video from Khan Academy on the Constitutional Convention and the impact of its compromises.
Finally, evaluate what compromise reached at the Convention, has had the biggest impact on our political system today. After you read and annotate Big State, Small State, please watch (with your earbuds) the following video from Khan Academy on the Constitutional Convention and the impact of its compromises.
Homework:
Ed Puzzle - Constitutional Convention
Homework: Read 29 - 44 Edwards
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