Constitutional Convention
Preview
What event made people realize
the national government was
too
weak?
1. Whiskey Rebellion
2. Articles of
Confederation
3. Shays Rebellion
4. Bacon’s Rebellion
25%
25%
25%
25%
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Who is to blame for Shays
Rebellion?
1. Government
2. Farmers
48%
52%
Response Grid
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Shay’s Rebellion- 1787
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Massachusetts- Crop prices dropped after war
Farmers became poor
Many war heroes
Farms taken when loans and taxes were not paid
Farmers put in jail
Daniel Shays leads 1400 farmers in rebellion
Farmers nearly take over entire state
Rebellion ended by volunteer army
Proved the Articles of Confederation needed to be
changed giving National Government more power
• 14 sentenced to death; 12 pardoned including Shays
How was Shays’ Rebellion
stopped?
1.
2.
3.
4.
National Army
It wasn’t stopped
Volunteer army
George
Washington
5%
0%
5%
90%
1
2
3
Response Grid
4
Do YOU think a new
constitution was needed?
(ready to tell why or why not)
1. Yes
2. No
10%
90%
1
2
Response Grid
Independence Hall- 1787
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Convention- Gathering of people
Philadelphia
Extremely hot summer- 100 degrees
Kept meetings private
Southerners more prepared for weather
Met to make changes to the Articles of
Confederation
Where was the Constitutional
Convention held?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Boston
New York City
Washington DC
Philadelphia
25%
25%
25%
25%
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What did the delegates promise
at the convention?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Keep meetings secret
Not to fight
Not to argue
To make a new
constitution
25%
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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Constitutional Convention
• Definition- 55 delegates from 12 states
met in Philadelphia to write constitution
• Mostly wealthy & educated
• George Washington elected chairman
• Ben Franklin- oldest (82 years)
• James Madison- Best prepared
• Madison recorded every debate and
discussion (Father of Constitution)
What did the 55 delegates have
in common?
1. White, rich, men
2. White, old, men
3. Northerners who were
rich and educated
4. Southern men who
were rich
25%
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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Who is considered “Father of
the United States Constitution”?
1. Ben Franklin
2. George
Washington
3. Thomas Jefferson
4. James Madison
25%
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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The United States Constitution
• 3 main arguments occurred
• 3 Branches of Government created
• Many disagreements solved with
Compromise- agreement in which 2 or
more sides get part of what they want and
part of what they don’t want
• Federalists- wanted strong national
government and limited rights to people
• Anti-Federalists- wanted weaker national
government and a Bill of Rights for citizens
What is the best definition of
convention?
1. Where people meet to
discuss a Constitution
2. Where people go to buy
things
25%
3. A gathering of people
4. A plan of government
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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Which best describes a
Federalist?
1. Someone who wanted a new
constitution with a weak national
government
2. Someone who wanted a Bill of Rights
3. Someone who wanted a strong
national government
25%
4. Someone who wanted to keep the
Articles of Confederation
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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4
Someone who wanted to add a
Bill of Rights to the constitution
was…
1.
2.
3.
4.
A Federalist
A Compromiser
An Anti-Federalist
A Delegate
25%
25%
25%
25%
Response Grid
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