Unit 2: The Constitution

Name ______Per

Lesson 1: The Constitutional Convention

Lesson one has two main assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz)

  • Explain three major areas of debate that the Framers of the Constitution had to deal with.
  • Representation
  • Slavery
  • Powers of the national government
  • Describe how the Framers attempted to organize the new Constitution with the following three proposals.

1

  • Virginia Plan
  • New Jersey Plan
  • Great Compromise
  • Three-Fifths Compromise

1

Lesson 1 Preview

  1. If men are not angels, what are they? Explain why Madison might have thought this.
  1. Why are governments necessary?
  1. Is Madison right? Are governments really necessary? How would your life be different if no government existed, and there were no laws or people to enforce them?

  1. The Constitutional Convention took place at the State House in ,______Pennsylvania.
  2. The Constitution was drafted in ______months.
  3. There were ______delegates to the Convention.
  4. Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Convention, so only ______of the ______states were represented.
  5. The original goal of the Convention was to ______the Articles of ______.
  6. Today we call this group of people our “______”.
  1. List the goals of the Founding Fathers
  1. Explain the roles of George Washington and James Madison
  1. Describe the process of writing the Constitution
  2. Why was there division between the states with large populations and smaller populations?
  1. How did Roger Sherman propose to settle these disputes? What do we call his plan?
  1. Explain the process of the signing of the Constitution.
  1. What was the plan after the Convention? How would the Constitution become the law of the land?

Representation: The delegates had decided to include a legislative branch of government. This branch would be responsible for making the laws of the country. Some of the states had larger population and some of the states had smaller populations. The delegates had to decide how much representation each state would get in this branch (how many people each state got to send to the legislative branch to help make laws.

1

Slavery: Another issue for debate was how to handle the issue of slavery. Should it be allowed? Limited? If allowed should the slaves count as a part of the population?

Powers of Government: Some of the most intense disagreements came over the powers of the new national government. Many of the delegates were still afraid of creating another situation like they had with Great Britain. Other delegates pointed out the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Lesson 2: Organization, Principles, & Structure

Lesson two has two main assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz)

  • Describe the philosophy of the Constitution regarding the organization of government and the powers of each branch.
  • Legislative Branch
  • Executive Branch
  • Judicial Branch
  • Explain the principles of the Constitution.
  • Understand and explain the organization and structure of the Constitution.

How the Government Works

The Legislative Branch: Read p.132-133 of your textbook and complete following tasks.

  1. What is the main job/role of the Legislative Branch?
  1. Name the two houses (or bodies) that make up this branch.
  1. What is the name we give to this branch when we put both houses together?
  1. Use the bottom half of the back of p.8 and sketch two houses. Title one house “Senate” and the other “House of Representatives”. Add notes in each sketch describing each body of Congress.
  2. How is a “bill” different from a “law”.
  1. List the main steps in how a bill becomes a law.
  1. Define “veto” and “override”.

The Executive Branch: Read p.134-135 of your textbook and complete following tasks.

  1. What are the main jobs/responsibilities of the Executive Branch?
  1. List the members of this branch.
  1. Why are the powers of the President sometimes confusing?
  1. Use the top half of the back of p. 9 to sketch a policeman’s shield. Inside the shield write notes that answer these questions:
  2. Length of term for president
  3. Name of system that elects president
  4. List some of the powers of the president

The Judicial Branch: Read p.136-137 of your textbook and complete following tasks.

  1. What is the job of the federal district courts?
  1. How is the role of the Courts of Appeal different from the district courts?
  1. What is the highest court in the U.S. called?
  1. List two of this court’s responsibilities.
  1. Explain what the Supreme Court’s most important power is.

The Organization and Structure of the Constitution: Read p.128-129 and complete the following tasks.

  1. List the main parts of the Constitution.
  1. What does the “Preamble” do?
  1. On the bottom half of p.9 sketch a brick wall. Your wall must have at list 6 large bricks. In each brick list a goal of the Preamble. Make sure you know what these mean!
  2. What is the main body of the Constitution called? How many of these are there?
  1. What areas do the first three articles cover? Be specific.
  1. What is an amendment? How many amendments have been made to the Constitution?
  1. What are the first ten amendments called?

Think In Pictures! Inside each shape, draw a symbol or sketch that illustrates the main job of each of three branches of government. Label the shape with the name of the branch being depicted.

1

1

Lesson 3:

Lesson three has threemain assignments. At the end of these assignments you will take a closed note quiz. After these lessons you will be expected to be able to: (one or more of these objectives may appear as a short answer question on the quiz)

  • Explain the purpose and significance of the Federalist Papersin gaining support for the ratification of the Constitution.
  • Describe the rolls and viewpoints of various Founding Fathers.

1

  • James Madison
  • George Washington
  • Roger Sherman
  • Gouverneur Morris
  • James Wilson

1

  • Explain the purpose and freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights

1

1

1