Meet The Framers
of the
United States Constitution
By
Jane Crowley
Alexander Hamilton
• Secretary to George Washington
during Revolutionary War
• Urged the calling of the
Constitutional Convention
• Wanted a dynamic national
government
• Wrote essays known as the
Federalist Papers
• Only one from his state to sign
the Constitution
James Madison
• Authored the Virginia Plan
• Instrumental in convening the
Constitutional Convention
• Wrote about the deficiencies in the
Articles of Confederation
• Wrote essays known as the Federalist
Papers
• Known as “Father of the Constitution”
George Washington
• Saw a problem with Sovereign
States
• Advocate of a strong central
government
• Was elected president of the
Convention
• Knew if a Constitution was not
drafted the new country
wouldn’t last
• First President of the United
States
The Constitutional Convention
• What decisions were made at the start of the
Convention?
• Why did the Framers study history and political
philosophy?
• What did they know about ancient republics?
• Why was secrecy important?
• Why were they called “The Framers?”
• On what ideas of government did the Framers agree?
Big States Versus Small States
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
• Number of delegates
• Three-fifths rule
Rhode Island
• House of
Representatives
Georgia
• Senate
• Bill of Rights
Delaware
The Great Compromise
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What was it?
How did it affect the country?
Was is a fair compromise?
What do you think would have happened if
a compromise had not been reached?
• How would you have voted? Why?
Three Branches
• Legislative
• U. S. Senate
• House of Representatives
• Executive
• President and his Advisors
• Department of State
• Department of the Treasury
• Departments of War and of Defense
• Attorney General and Department of Justice
• Judicial
• United States Supreme Court
Today’s Influences
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Checks and Balances
Citizen’s rights and responsibilities
Separation of Powers
Amendments
Two-thirds majority
Way representatives are elected
Still Strong after 216 Years
• Is the basic structure the same
today? Explain.
• What are some of the
amendments that have been
added to accommodate the
times?
• Do the check and balances
still protect the country?
• How has the election of
representatives changed?
• Are the Bill of Rights still
protecting individual rights?
Proud to be an American
Sources
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•
“Alexander Hamilton.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. National Archives.
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/constitution_founding_fat
hers_new_york.html#Hamilton
Brunidi, Constantino. “Alexander Hamilton.” Touring Turn of-the-Century
Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/detr:@field(NUMBER+@band(det+4a26388))
•
•
•
•
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Brunidi, Constantino. “James Madison.” Touring Turn of-the-Century
Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/presp:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a06960))
Center for Civic Education, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution,
Calabasas, CA. 2003
Herbert, Janis. The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities.
Chicago Review Press, Inc. 2002.
“James Madison.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. National Archives.
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/constitution_founding_fat
hers_virginia.html#Madison
“George Washington.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. National Archives.
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/constitution_founding_fat
hers_virginia.html#Washington