Constitutional Convention Research Day 1 Objectives: - I can describe the major issues discussed during the Constitutional Convention

n and take a position on those issues. (U3.3.2, U3.3.3, U3.3.4, U3.3.5) - I can explain how different peoples identities shaped their viewpoints in the Constitutional Convention.

Name ______________________________ Class ____________ Date _______________ A Letter from James Madison
Dear Fellow Delegates, Welcome to Independence Hall in the city of Philadelphia! As you know, you have been selected as a delegate to represent your home state during these proceedings. Our purpose is to discuss the defects found in our current government under the Articles of Confederation. Your input is not only desired, but necessary so that we can guarantee "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to all Americans. I ask you to remember that whatever is said in these meetings is to be held in the strictest of confidence. Again, welcome to Philadelphia and thank you for helping to secure the best possible government for our country. Sincerely, James Madison What state do you represent? _______________________________ What is your name? ______________________________________ Use the 1790 US Census Information Sheet to answer the following. 1790 Total Population: ________________________________________ 1790 Slave Population: ________________________________________ Part I: Background Information Where You Stand Directions: Working with the delegate(s) from your state, answer the following questions. TODAY, YOU ARE ACTING FROM THE POINT-OF-VIEW OF THE DELEGATES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED meaning that you have to be thinking from the perspective of a wealthy, white, landowning male who is well educated and over the age of 18 as you answer these questions. 1. Do we need a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation provided? Why? 2. What should state governments be able to do? What should the national government be able to do? 3. Is your state considered a large or small state? Explain how you came to this determination. (Hint: States with populations over 250,000 were considered large states.) 4. As a delegate from your state, do you prefer the Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan? 5. Why do you prefer this plan? 6. How should the US Constitution address the issue of slavery? 7. Should enslaved people be counted for representation? 8. Should our new constitution list out rights that people should have (Bill of Rights), or should we say that any right not listed in the Constitution is given to the people?

**Note: Additional information about your state can be found at

http://honeycreekschool.org/ms/files/2011/01/06-Debate-Rubric.pdf

Part II Constitutional Debate Prep Assigned Debates: - Issue of strong vs. weak government (Hamilton) - Issue of Representation: Virginia Plan (presented by Madison group) and New Jersey Plan (presented by William Livingston group) o Debate: Sherman, Gerry, Mason - Issue of Slavery o Debate: Martin, Rutlidge, Sherman, Mason, Elsworth, and Pinckney - Issue of a Bill of Rights, to possibly be added to the Constitution o Debate: Sherman, Mason, Gerry, Pinckney - Final vote and remarks
Assigned Actors: James Madison, VA:__________________________________ Elbridge Gerry, MA:__________________________________ Roger Sherman, CT:__________________________________ Alexander Hamilton, NY:______________________________ William Livingston, NJ:________________________________ Benjamin Franklin, PA:________________________________ Governour Morris, PA:_________________________________ George Mason, VA:____________________________________ Charles Pinckney, SC:__________________________________ Luther Martin, MD:____________________________________ James Rutlidge, SC:____________________________________ Oliver Elsworth, CT:____________________________________

Directions: 1. Look at what issue your group will asked to speak about during this weeks Constitutional Convention. Make sure you understand what your character would have argued in that debate. 2. Prepare speaking remarks where you explain your characters point of view on that issue, and prepare for rebuttals from the other viewpoint.