Constitutional Convention - AP US History
Name_____________________________
Rationale: In order to truly understand the troubles of the framers of the constitution, we will to step into their
shoes and experience the process for ourselves through a simulated Constitutional Convention.
Goal: The main goal for this simulation is NOT for you to come up with solutions to the constitutional
problems you encounter, but rather to accurately reflect the character you are portraying. Your grade will be
primarily contingent on your ability to accurately reflect your character AND / OR the state they represented.
Step One: Jump into the past, assume a role of a delegate
You will each assume a particular role for this convention. You will be responsible for conducting research
on your assigned individual to better understand his political philosophies and determine where he would
stand on particular issues. You will NOT be able to find everything you want to know about the character.
You MUST make some inferences based on what you know and the state they are from. The characters are as
follows:
1. *George Washington- Virginia
2. Ben Franklin- Pennsylvania
3. *James Madison- Virginia
4. Elbridge Gerry- Massachusetts
5. George Mason- Virginia
6. Gouveneur Morris- Pennsylvania
7. *Roger Sherman- Connecticut
8. John Rutledge- South Carolina
9. Alexander Hamilton- New York
10. Luther Martin- Maryland
11. Rufus King- Massachusetts
12. John Dickenson- Delaware
13. Nicholas Gilman- New Hampshire
14. John Lansing Jr.- New York
15. William L. Pierce- Georgia
16. William Blount- North Carolina
17. Oliver Ellsworth- Connecticut
18. James McHenry- Maryland
19. *James Wilson- Pennsylvania
20. Richard Dobbs Spaight- North Carolina
21. Charles Pinckney- South Carolina
22. *William Livingston- New Jersey
23. George Read- Delaware
24. John Blair- Virginia
25. John Langdon- New Hampshire
26. Jonathan Dayton – New Jersey
Step Two: Researching political philosophy
Once you have assumed a role for the convention, you will need to conduct research to determine the general
political philosophy of the character you will assume. Upon completing this research, you will be responsible
for writing
a brief one-page analysis addressing the questions below.
Who are you? I am Elbridge Gerry, a delegate from Massachusetts………
What is your background?
How will the state you represent shape your political views?
In what way have your past experiences shaped your political views?
Step Three: Preparing your character for the convention.
For each issue, you must prepare a statement of your character’s views towards that issue.
1. The Articles of Confederation: How would your character have viewed the existing document of the
Articles of Confederation? Are there things your character would have liked or disliked? What specific
events or concerns with the Articles of Confederation would your character have been MOST concerned
with?
2. Role of the government - Strong Central Government vs. Strong State Government:
Each delegate must prepare a statement to the convention detailing his views on the nature and desired role
of government. Would your character prefer a strong central government or strong state governments?
Why? The character of George Mason will be responsible for directing a resolution on the matter.
3. Representation of the people- The Virginia Plan: James Madison will present this plan to the
convention and provide a short rationale.
Representation of the people- The New Jersey Plan: The delegate from New Jersey will present this
plan to the convention and provide a short rationale.
Every other delegate needs to prepare a statement for the convention regarding which plan they
would prefer and why.
Representation of the people- The Great Compromise: Roger Sherman of Connecticut will present this
plan to the convention and provide a short rationale.
4. Slavery and the Slave Trade: Each delegate must prepare a statement to the convention detailing their
views on the government’s role regarding the issue of slavery in terms of representation and taxation. The
focus of discussion will concern the role of slaves in determining representation in the government. After
each delegate has given their statement, James Wilson will present the 3/5 compromise and rationale to the
convention.
5. The rights of the individual: Each delegate must prepare a statement to the delegation regarding the
rights of the individual. You will need to determine how your character would feel about protecting the
rights of the individual versus protecting government from the “tyranny of the majority.” Is a Bill of Rights
necessary in this constitution? Will checks and balances sufficiently limit the government?
Step Four: The Convention
George Washington will serve as the presiding officer of the convention and will be responsible for ensuring
that the convention follows a respectable format.
You need to have a name
placard for your character so everyone knows who you are.
The format will follow the order of the research detailed above. Each person will be responsible for
speaking at least once during each topic to present their statements. Washington will regulate a short open
discussion period to allow for rebuttals and reactions; it’s up to YOU to ensure that your voice is heard. At
the conclusion of debate for each topic, the convention will take a quick vote to make a decision. Ideally, this
vote will follow the path of history.
Your grade: You will be graded on the following points:
Accurate completion of the delegate analysis-profile -handwritten or typed, double-spaced
2. Prepared statements for each of the debate topics
-fill out this packet regarding EACH topic
3. Participation on topics during the convention
-be prepared to speak on each issue
1.
George Washington – Instructions
You are not to take an active role in the “debate.” Your job is to keep order and make sure the
discussion is going in the right direction. Try to get everyone to speak BRIEFLY on each topic!
Issue 1 - The Articles of Confederation:
___This should be a BRIEF opening discussion on the weaknesses (and strengths) of the Articles.
___Give each member of the room an opportunity to briefly address the problems they are seeing in their
state with the current government.
___Tell the group that they may also share any positive components of the Articles of Confederation.
___No resolution or vote is needed on this matter.
Issue 2 - Role of the government:
___Give each member of the room an opportunity to briefly address whether they prefer a stronger
central or state government.
___At the end of the group discussion, ask George Mason to direct a resolution on the matter.
___Restate the resolution and vote.
Issue 3 - Representation of the people:
___Will representation in the legislature be based on population or equal representation?
___The delegation from Virginia will make the first proposal.
___The delegation from New Jersey will make an alternate proposal.
___Give each member of the room an opportunity to BRIEFLY share their thoughts on each plan.
___George Sherman will then present the “Connecticut Compromise.”
___State the compromise as a resolution and vote.
Issue 4 - Slavery and the Slave Trade:
___Be careful, George! You hate the institution of slavery BUT you ARE a slave owner. You want to
keep the comments focused on representation or taxation.
___Focus (and refocus) the discussion on the question of how slaves will be counted among the
population for representation?
___James Wilson will present the 3/5 compromise and rationale to the convention.
___Restate the resolution and vote.
Issue 5 – The rights of the individual:
___Is a Bill of Rights necessary in this constitution? Will checks and balances sufficiently limit the
government?
___Time permitting, allow each member to share their position on this issue.
___Remember, George, the original U.S. Constitution does NOT contain a Bill of Rights! It is added
later. Any resolution should reflect that.