The Constitution: Balancing Competing Interests

Part A Using your reading notes AND the Constitution (pg. 568), complete the chart with your group. Be prepared to share your answers with the class 5 – 7 minutes before the end of the period.

Part B Individually, complete a close read in Part B. Read several times if necessary Use the following notations: 1. Number paragraphs (for easy referenc) 2. Underline main ideas or arguments (or highlight) 3. Circle words that are new to you / you don’t understand 4. Write in the margins your conclusions, questions, reactions, ideas

Part B With your partners, write complete sentence answers, using evidence from the text to the following questions: According to Charles Beard, which four classes of economic interests stood to gain most from the adoption of the Constitution? Find at least four ways that the Constitution would benefit these economic groups. (Reference your completed chart.) What do Morison and Commager see as the main reason for the creation of a new government in 1787? Do you agree with Charles Beard’s conclusions that the Constitution was designed to favor certain groups over others? Explain.