1. Period
1:
 Please
Period
take out your workbooks!
2,4,5,6:
 Please
take out your American
Revolution Graphic Organizers
and workbooks and have a seat
right away!

2. EXPERIENCING THE WEAKNESSES OF
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

3. WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
How did you feel as you tried to reach an
agreement?
 What are the weaknesses of this type of decisionmaking system? What are the benefits?
 What might be a better way to have the class make
a decision?


4. WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Articles of Confederation
Classroom Experience

Congress was
composed of 13 states.

The class was divided
into 13 groups.

Each state had one
vote in Congress.

Each group of students
had one vote.

5. WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Articles of Confederation
Classroom Experience
Congress dealt with
many problems, such
as how to develop the
western lands acquired
by the United States in
the Treaty of Paris.
 Congress failed to
resolve disputes
between states over
taxes and boundaries.

Students tried to
choose a radio station
to listen to.

The class failed to
choose a station to
listen to.


6. WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Articles of Confederation

Many citizens were
concerned that the
government was too
weak.
Classroom Experience

Some students
became dissatisfied
and frustrated.

7. WHAT COMPROMISES EMERGED FROM THE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?
What worried James Madison about the future of
the United States?
 Why did many members of Congress fear a strong
central government?
 What were some of the government’s powers under
the Articles of Confederation? What were some of
its limitations?


8. WEAKNESS OF THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION

Limited Powers:
New laws required approval of nine states
 Congress could not regulate trade or set taxes
 No president to enforce the laws
 No courts to settle conflicts between states

Government did not have the power to resolve
conflicts between states
 Congress couldn’t raise money to repay debts from
the Revolution
 Other countries took advantage of weak central
government


9. ADMITTING NEW STATES

The Land Ordinance of 1785 set up system for
settling the North West Territory


Territory would be surveyed and divided into townships
The North West Ordinance provided a way to admit
new states
When a territory has 5,000 free adult males, it can elect
its own legislature.
 When the population reaches 60,000, a territory can
apply for statehood.
 Settlers have same rights and privileges as other
citizens
 Slavery is banned.


10. A CALL FOR CHANGE

After the Revolution, the nation suffered an
economic depression


Period when business activity slows, prices and wages
fall, and unemployment rises
Farmers Revolt:

Shay’s Rebellion – organized uprising of Massachusetts
farmers, protesting taxes and property seizures

11. SHAY’S REBELLION
Causes



Congress didn’t have
enough gold or silver to
mint coins, which caused
money shortages
Farmers had difficulty
earning enough to pay
their debts and taxes
Farmers were required to
sell their land and
livestock to pay their
debts.
Effects



Many Americans saw
these things as signs that
the nation was falling
apart.
Congress called for a
convention to revise the
Articles of Confederation.
People like Madison
concluded that a nation
made up of many groups
needs a strong central
gvn’t.

12. Period
1:
 Please
Period
take out your workbooks!
2,4,5,6:
 Please
take out your American
Revolution Graphic Organizers
and workbooks and have a seat
right away!

13. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Experiencing the Drama…

14. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
 It’s
the summer of 1787 and you are
delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
 You have come to Philadelphia to revise the
Articles of Confederation, but now you have
decided to just throw them out and start
over.
 Some of you are happy about this change
but others are angered by it.
 Quickly find a seat so we can begin the
debate…

15. WHO AM I?
Read your delegate card very carefully. You are
responsible for taking on the persona of your
delegate and correctly expressing his views. Your
delegate card is super secret to don’t show it to
anyone!
 Make a name tag to let us know who you are:
 It should say:
 Your name
 Your state
 A simple picture that represents your delegates
personal background and character.
 You have 10 minutes to do this!


16. INTRODUCTIONS
Introduce yourself to the people in the room.
 Remember to use formal introductions:

For example, “I am heartily glad to see you , Mr.
Madison.” or “It is a pleasure to be in your company,
Doctor Franklin.”
 Stay in character the whole time!


Your delegate card is super secret so don’t show it
to anyone!

17. VOW OF SECRECY
I promise not to divulge to the
public what is discussed at this
convention.
Close the windows and the door!


18. PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE
Don’t forget to read your role cards to see what
your delegate thinks!
 Meet with others who believe like you do to come
up with an argument to support your cause.
 Decide with the other delegates from your state
which proposal you will support.


Read your role card!
Each state gets one vote and all delegates from
that state must agree or the vote doesn’t count.
 Prepare arguments to support your proposal.


Read the “Points to Raise During the Convention” part
of your role card!

19. THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE
REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the
New Government
Proposal A
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s
population.
Proposal B
 Each state will have an equal number of representatives
in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the
citizens of the state.

20. GET SOME INFO FIRST

Please read chapter 8, section 5 in the Orange
textbook and fill out the 8.5 part of the worksheet.

21. Period
1:
 Please
take out your name tags,
delegate cards, and your
workbooks!
Period
2,4,5,6:
 Please
pick up a paper from the
side desk and a seat right away!

22. THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE
REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the
New Government
Proposal A
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s
population.
Proposal B
 Each state will have an equal number of representatives
in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the
citizens of the state.

23. PROCEDURE FOR DISCUSSING THE
PROPOSALS
Step 1: One state delegation nominates one of the
proposals above.
 Step 2: The nomination is seconded by another
state.
 Step 3: The nomination is discussed and debated
for three to five minutes.
 Step 4: The nominated proposal is voted upon. To
pass, the nomination must be approved by a
majority of the states. A majority means that a
proposal receives more than half of the votes.
 Step 5: If the proposal does not pass, repeat the
process with a new nomination.


24. WE NEED A COMPROMISE!
The delegates must come up with a solution or you
will all LOSE 10 points for this activity.
 Let’s take a break from the convention to discuss
with each other compromises.


25. THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE
REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the
New Government
Proposal A
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s
population.
Proposal B
 Each state will have an equal number of representatives
in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C
 The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the
citizens of the state.

26. PROCEDURE FOR DISCUSSING THE
PROPOSALS
Step 1: One state delegation nominates one of the
proposals above.
 Step 2: The nomination is seconded by another
state.
 Step 3: The nomination is discussed and debated
for three to five minutes.
 Step 4: The nominated proposal is voted upon. To
pass, the nomination must be approved by a
majority of the states. A majority means that a
proposal receives more than half of the votes.
 Step 5: If the proposal does not pass, repeat the
process with a new nomination.


27. Period
1:
 Please
Period
take out your workbooks!
2,4,5,6:
 Please
take out your American
Revolution Graphic Organizers
and workbooks and have a seat
right away!

28. GET SOME INFO!

Please read 8.6 to 8.10 and finish the worksheet.

29. SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION
Check your role card to see if your delegate signed
the Constitution.
 If your delegate did not sign, you must be prepared
to explain why (check your role card!).
 Can we hear from Dr. Franklin…
 Let’s sign it!


30. LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE’VE DONE…






How did it feel to act as a delegate to the Constitutional
Convention?
What was the most challenging part of being a delegate
to the Constitutional Convention? What was the most
rewarding part?
What issues did the delegates have to resolve? How did
they resolve them?
Why was it important for the delegates to compromise
on certain issues?
What compromises emerged from the Constitutional
Convention?
In what ways do you think your experience was different
from that of the actual delegates? In what ways do you
think your experience was similar?