Lesson 1.5: Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
Enduring Understanding:
The Constitution emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the ongoing impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system
Essential Knowledge:
Compromises deemed necessary for adoption and ratification of the Constitution are represented by:
- Great (Connecticut) Compromise
- Electoral College
- Three-Fifths Compromise
- Compromise on the importation of slaves
Debates about self-government during the drafting of the Constitution necessitated the drafting of an amendment process in Article V that entailed either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined by three-fourths of the states.
The compromises necessary to secure ratification of the Constitution left some matters unresolved that continue to generate discussion and debate today.
The debate over the role of the central government, the powers of state governments, and the rights of individuals remains at the heart of present-day constitutional issues about democracy and governmental power, as represented by: Debates about government surveillance resulting from the federal government’s response to the 9/11 attacks The debate about the role of the federal government in public school education
Debrief 1.3:
Use ASAP (Author, Setting Audience, Purpose) to analyze the following document in 6 minutes...
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 promoting independence from Great Britain to people in the 13 colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine made moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government.
“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. . . .Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed.
Arms, as the last resource, decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the king, and the continent hath accepted the challenge.” “The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. ‘Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent. But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families . . .
I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew, a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived. . . .
Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART. . . .
As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. . . .
I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so . . .
O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!”
Activity #1: 4 Little Words
Using the following words "Articles of Confederation, Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, Constitutional Convention.
Activity #2: Venn Diagram
Compare the New Jersey and Virginia Plans, then we will discuss
Activity #3: Complete the EdPuzzle Assignment
Activity #4: Nifty Fifty Vocabulary:
Using the back of the vocabulary sheet that we completed last class or a new sheet if needed, please add the following vocabulary terms to our notebook glossaries:
Federalism
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
