During the “critical period” after the American Revolution, many were concerned that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for the states to grow commercially and economically. The Confederation Congress announced a meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation, but not everyone was convinced that the Articles needed revision—or even that the goals of the Convention were admirable. Divisions emerged among the delegates regarding centralized power, executive power, representation, and slavery. This lesson plan includes six activities. The activities may be taught in sequence as a comprehensive overview of the Constitutional Convention or individual activities may be taught as stand-alone lessons.

Guiding Questions

• To what extent did the Constitutional Convention correct the problems with the Articles of Confederation?
• Who were the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
• How did the similarities and differences of the Framers affect the drafting of the Constitution?
• Did the Framers make the right compromises at the Constitutional Convention?
• Why is the Executive branch an essential part of government?
• How did the Founders view slavery?
• To what extent did the Framers agree that the Constitution should be ratified? Why?

Objectives

• Evaluate the similarities and differences of the Framers.
• Speculate how the similarities and differences of the Framers affected the drafting of the Constitution.
• Analyze the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention.
• Compare the Executive power of the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution.
• Evaluate Madison’s definition of federalism.
• Summarize the arguments for and against slavery.
• Analyze George Mason’s objections to the Constitution.
• Predict how Mason might evaluate the Constitution if he could do so today.

Educator Resources

• Handout B: Bundle of Compromises Answer Key
• The Constitution and Executive Power Activity Handouts D-E Answer Keys
• Handout F: James Madison and Federalism Answer Key
• Slavery and the Founders Activity Handouts H-K Answer Keys

Student Handouts

• The Constitutional Convention Essay
• Handout A: Meeting the Framers—A Pre-Convention Social
• Handout B: Bundle of Compromises
• Handout C: The U.S. Constitution of 1787
• Handout D: Executive Comparison
• Handout E: Committee of Detail – Executive Power
• Handout F: James Madison and Federalism – Excerpts from Federalist No. 39
• Handout G: Slavery and the Founders
• Handout H: Map — Emancipation in the Early Republic
• Handout I: Founders’ Quotes on Slavery
• Handout J: Readers’ Theater – Convention Debate on Slave Trade
• Handout K: Mason’s Objections to the Constitution