American Government
Chapter 2 Origins of American Government
Section 4 Creating the Constitution
Directions: As you read section 4, answer the questions below.
1. Name two groups whose interests seem to have been ignored, or even harmed, by the compromises that
created the Constitution.
2. Describe in general terms the Framers of the Constitution.
3. Who was President of the convention?
4. How much weight did each states’ vote carry during the convention?
5. What was the original purpose of the Philadelphia Convention?
6. Why were so many compromises necessary for the writing of the Constitution?
7. From what sources did many of the Framers use for the ideas presented in the Constitution?
8. Who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? List the names below.
As You Read
The chart below outlines the initial plans for a constitution and the “bundle of compromises” that resulted from
the various plans. As you read Section 4, complete the chart by filling in the boxes provided.
Plan or
Compromise
Who benefited?
What was the plan? Describe.
Why was a
compromise
needed?
What was the compromise?
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Plan or
Compromise
Connecticut
Compromise
Three-Fifths
Compromise
Commerce and
Slave Trade
Compromise
What was the date the Constitution was signed? ____________________________________
Test your knowledge
Match the descriptions in Column I with the terms in Column II. Write the correct letter in each
blank.
Column I
Column II
_____ 1. A plan to satisfy Southern fears that the
Federal Government might be funded
through export duties
a. Virginia Plan
_____ 2. Madison’s plan for a National Government
strong central government
b. New Jersey Plan
_____ 3. A combination of the Virginia Plan and NJ
plan
c. Connecticut Compromise
_____ 4. A plan to satisfy Southerners’ desire to
to keep their slaves and count them as
for population numbers
d. Three-Fifths Compromise
_____ 5. Paterson’s plan for a National Government
which greatly resembled the Articles of
Confederation
e. Commerce and Slave
Trade Compromise