Unit
Unit 3: Constitution and Ratification for 6-8 (1787-1791)
Guiding question
What problems did the new nation face under the Articles of Confederation and why was the creation of the Constitution proposed as a solution?
This unit invites students to analyze the problems faced by the new nation under the Articles of Confederation and the creation of the Constitution as a solution. It emphasizes the principles of the Constitution and how those principles shaped the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification debate.
Lessons
Analyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
Explore the purpose, structure, and flaws of the Articles of Confederation.
What were the primary problems faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation?
Explore the disagreements between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
How did the division of power for the United States shape early American history?
What were the key arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution, and how were the debates shaped by constitutional principles?
How does the principle of federalism balance power between the national and state governments?
How did principles shape the republican framework of the new constitutional government?
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?
Unit resources
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?
Analyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
Explore the disagreements between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
Understand the key arguments of Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Color-code documents to indicate the principles of natural rights, equality and justice.
A handout to accompany the whole class version of the Fed Up Game.
A student activity to accompany our Federalism Homework Help video.
Analyze the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by looking at key phrases from each document.
Explore the purpose, structure, and flaws of the Articles of Confederation.
Explore the disagreements between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
Explore the debates over the constitutionality of the National Bank.
A pre-built slide deck to help facilitate the game play of Fed Up.
Standards
Related content
Guiding 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? About the Video Series: Our video resources in the Building a Self-Governing People middle school curriculum integrate primary source analysis with Document-Based Question (DBQ) skills to deepen student learning. Use them to launch your assessment lesson or to support students who need a refresher on DBQ strategies. Each video features two young professionals: a museum curator leading a gallery tour and an educator accompanying students on a field trip. The curator models how to analyze primary sources such as historical documents and artwork. Then, the educator demonstrates how to use that analysis to answer a compelling historical question. For guidance on how to use the videos within your lessons, refer to the unit’s Deconstructed DBQ Lesson Plans.