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Unit 3: Constitution and Ratification (1787-1791) Unit Overview

Unit 3: Constitution and Ratification (1787-1791)
Analyze the problems faced by the new nation under the Articles of Confederation and the creation of the Constitution as a solution.
Assessment Focus:

Thesis and VIEW Sentences

 DBQ/ Essential Question:

What were the principles of the new Constitution, and how did they shape the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate?
Primary Sources:

  • Document A: Brutus I –  Robert Yates (1787)
  • Document B: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison (1787)
  • Document C: Constitution Preamble (1787)
  • Document D: James Madison to Thomas Jefferson (1788)
  • Document E: Federalist #51 – James Madison (1788)
DBQ Resources:
Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4
Weaknesses of the Articles Constitutional Convention Ratification Federalism
Guiding Question:

What were the primary problems faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation?

 Guiding Question:

How did principles shape the republican framework of the new constitutional government?

 Guiding Question:

What were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?

 Guiding Questions:

How does the principle of federalism balance power between the national and state governments?

How did the division of power for the United States shape early American history?
Resources:

 Resources:

 Resources:

 Resources:
Principle(s)

  •  Limited Government
 Virtue(s)

  •  Prudence