The Constitutional Convention was called in Philadelphia in 1787 to address weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation like the lack of a strong central government. The 55 delegates who attended worked in private to freely discuss reforms and compromises needed to create a new Constitution. James Madison kept detailed notes of the debates and discussions that took place between the founding fathers as they worked to establish a new framework for the United States government.

1. Aim: How was the
Constitutional
Convention an
exercise in
compromise?

2. 1. What do the waves represent?
2. What does the artist mean by “rough sailing
ahead?”
Do Now:

3. 1. According to the song, why are the
AOC “flawed”?
2. The gov. can declare war but…
3. The gov. can print money but…
4. What happened in Massachusetts?
5. Why was there a meeting in
Philadelphia in 1787?

4. • NO President (Executive)
• NO Army (order & protection)
• NO Courts (Judicial)
• NO Taxing Power (economic problems)
• No power to enforce laws (regulate trade)
• States were sovereign (States had more power than
National Gov.)
• One vote per state regardless of population
(unfair to states with more population)
• 9/13 states to pass a law (hard to make laws)
HW Review: Weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation

5. • Many American’s poor
• High state taxes to pay
• People borrow money and then go into
debt
• Can’t pay debt – State Courts would get
involved
• Lose farms and then sent to prison

6. • Massachusetts
• Farmers protest
• They refuse to let the courts meet
• Closed down the courthouse and
destroyed debt records

7. • Daniel Shays – leads farmers in a revolt
• Tried to take over a Massachusetts
arsenal
• Arsenal – a weapons storehouse
• No national army, so governor sends
state soldiers
• Shay’s Rebellion – people think that
the national government could not keep
order or protect them

8. What problem in the U.S. was
highlighted by the events of
Shay’s Rebellion?
• The weakness of the
national government

9. The Constitutional
Convention
• 1787 - Philadelphia
• Delegates from all
the states invited to
a convention to
improve the Articles
of Confederation,
which were not
working
• 55 Delegates
attended

11. Creating the
Constitution
• Talks would be private
• This allowed them to speak
freely & make good decisions
• Windows in the State House
covered
• Guards were at the doors

12. Leaders of the Convention
• George Washington was asked to
preside (lead) over the convention.
• James Madison kept notes of the
discussions and is often called “The
Father of the Constitution.”
• The men who wrote the Constitution
are called the “Founding Fathers.”
• All the participants in the Convention
were wealthy, white, males.

13. Name things you know
about children’s story books.

15. • Create a children’s story book to tell
the story of How the United States
was born
• You must include a narrative of how
the US got its independence and
Constitution.
record yourself reading the
book to a loved one (preferably a child)

16. • A cover page for the front with a creative
title and visual.
• A back cover with an “about the authors”
section where you briefly tell readers about
yourself.
• At least 20 vocabulary words highlighted or
underlined.
• At least four colored images. (drawn by
yourself or using the comic strip website)