Constitutional Convention Speech
Imagine the year is 1787 and the Constitutional Convention is
about to begin. You have been invited to the convention to represent the viewpoint of
your social group (Enslaved African Americans, White Women, Free African Americans,
Southern Planation Owners, Northern Merchants, Indentured Servants, Native Americans).
Your job is to write a speech representing your group’s views on suffrage and abolition.
Your speech should be about either suffrage or abolition. Who should have the right to vote in
this new government? Should slavery be outlawed?
Your speech should reflect the viewpoint of your group (Free African Americans, White
Women, Indentured Servants, etc.). Use evidence from the reading to decide what your character
would have thought about these two issues.
Your speech should have at least three arguments supporting your opinion. Why should these groups of
people have the right to vote? Why should slavery be abolished? Why should we keep slavery?
Your speech should be convincing. Why do you support this opinion? Why should others support your
opinion? How would this benefit the new country?
*remember, these groups of people did not actually attend the convention, just in our role-play!*
EVALUATION
REQUIREMENTS
Speech demonstrates knowledge of
suffrage or abolition
Speech represents the viewpoint of
the social group
Speech has at least three arguments
Speech is convincing
Total
POINTS
5
5
5
5
20
TEACHER EVALUATION
Speech to the Constitutional Convention
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