9.3 The Constitutional Convention (pt. 1) pp. 261-263

Objective: Explain why delegates to the Constitutional Convention were careful to keep their proceedings private.

If a 3-year-old can learn it . . .

How about a 2-year old!

9.1: (textbook pages 250-254) 1. Define constitutions— 2. After the Revolution, what group was the only one to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship? 3. What was the name of our first national constitution? 4. Define ratify— 5. What were three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

9.2: (textbook pages 255-259) 6. What legislation provided a more orderly way for selling and settling land north of the Ohio River? 7. What did the revenue from the sale of one section in every township support? 8. What legislation set up provisions for governing the Northwest Territory? 9. Define republic— 10. What practice was prohibited in the Northwest Territory? 11. Define economic depression— 12. What was the name of the uprising by Massachusetts farmers that revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

A. Philadelphia 1787 (p. 261) Philadelphia hosted the convention that would give birth to the Constitution. It became known as the Constitutional Convention. Delegates arrived in Philadelphia in 1787 with one goal in mind—to revise the Articles of Confederation.

B. The Constitutional Convention (p. 261) Eventually delegates arrived to represent 12 of the 13 states. Rhode Island did not send a delegate because its state leaders wanted nothing to do with creating a strong national government.

C. The Delegates (pp. 261-262) 55 delegates attended one or more sessions of the convention, which lasted from May until September. These “Founding Fathers” included many of the most able political leaders in the United States. Most of them made their living as lawyers and judges, and nearly all had practical experience in government.

D. Founding Fathers (p. 262) Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did not attend the convention because they were in Europe at the time. At 81, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at the convention. The convention unanimously chose George Washington to preside over the proceedings.

E. James Madison (pp. 262-263) Right from the start, James Madison favored writing a new constitution instead of revising the Articles of Confederation. Aware that his ideas might be unpopular, Madison prepared for the convention by arming himself with all the knowledge he could. Madison’s contributions became so significant that they earned him the nickname “Father of the Constitution.”

F. The Convention Begins (p. 263) Early on the delegates agreed that the proceedings should be kept private. Despite the intense summer heat, windows were kept closed and guards were posted at the doors. They agreed that the Articles were too weak and could never hold the nation together; the country needed a new constitution.

Review: When and where was the Constitutional Convention held? What was the original purpose of the convention? Who presided over the convention? Who is known as the “Father of the Constitution” Why did the delegates vote to keep the proceedings private?