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 Number of delegates Three-fifths rule House of Representatives Senate Bill of Rights Virginia Pennsylvania Massachusetts Georgia Delaware Rhode Island

The Great Compromise 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 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 “Alexander Hamilton.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the Constitutional Convention. National Archives. hers_new_york.html#Hamilton hers_new_york.html#Hamilton Brunidi, Constantino. “Alexander Hamilton.” Touring Turn of-the-Century Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, Brunidi, Constantino. “James Madison.” Touring Turn of-the-Century Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, Center for Civic Education, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Calabasas, CA Herbert, Janis. The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review Press, Inc “James Madison.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the Constitutional Convention. National Archives. hers_virginia.html#Madison hers_virginia.html#Madison “George Washington.” America’s Founding Fathers to the Delegates to the Constitutional Convention. National Archives. hers_virginia.html#Washington hers_virginia.html#Washington