Discussion 7 – Creating the Constitution
Civics – 2005-2006
Name:
Date:
Block:
I. Prior Knowledge
A. Have you ever created
something that has never been
created before? What was it?
B. What were three problems of
the Articles of Confederation?
II. Discussion
A. Shay’s Rebellion (1786-87)
i. Demonstrated the overall
shortcomings of the AOC
ii. High state taxes and interest
rates led to bankruptcies
iii. Daniel Shays, who was a
farmer from Massachusetts,
led a revolt
iv. Congress tried to establish a
national army, but all the
states except Virginia refused
to fund it
B. Annapolis Convention (1786)
i. Called to revise the AOC
ii. Only five states attended
iii. Agreed to meet again the
following year
C. Philadelphia Convention
(1787)
i. Mission: “the sole and express
purpose [was to] revise the
AOC”
ii. Delegates met in secret
iii. Twelve states attended
1. Rhode Island was absent
2. Why was this important?
D. Was it necessary?
i. Most states agreed that the
Articles needed to be revised
to provide order, protect
property, and prevent anarchy
ii. However, several states did
not support a brand new
document.
E. What did the people who
attended the Convention have
in common?
i. Relatively young
ii. Revolutionary War Veterans
iii. Continental Congress (39)
iv. 7 governors
v. 8 had signed the DOI
vi. 8 were important business
men
vii. 6 were large plantation
owners
viii. 3 were physicians
ix. 56% attended college
F. The Basics
i. Where? Philadelphia, PA
ii. Who? The well bred, well
read, well fed, and well wed.
iii. Why? To revise the AOC
iv. When? May 1787
III.
Class Work: Using Exploring American Citizenship (pages 30-34 identify what the following
groups of people felt should be included in the Constitution and why.
A. Northerners:
B. Southerners:
C. Large States (population):
D. Small States (population):
E. Merchant or Businessman
F. Farmer
Discussion 7 – Creating the Constitution
Civics – 2005-2006
Name:
Date:
Block:
Directions: Make up a quote that represents how that delegate felt on a particular argument at the
convention.
Extra Credit – Using traditional or online sources, (I found teachingamericanhistory.org. to be very helpful,
identify a delegate from each group) find an exact quote that represents how that delegate felt about a
particular argument at the convention.
A. Farmer
Example: “The states should be allowed to have slaves. The entire country's economy
depends on it.”
B. Northerners:
C. Southerners:
D. Large States (population):
E. Small States (population):
F. Merchant or Businessman