The Constitutional Convention – A Journey through Time

“It appears to me…little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States…in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices, should unite in forming a system of national Government.” –George Washington

Directions: You will be conducting awebquest on the Constitutional Convention and the men who participated the debating and signing of the Constitution. The goal in completing the webquest is to fully understand the procedures and processes that took place at the Convention in Philadelphia. You will also find out which delegate you are most like and how that person was influential at the Constitutional Convention.

Step 1: Take the “Which Founder Are You?” Online Quiz

Go to: and take the “Which Founder are You? Quiz.

Record your answer here: ______

Read over the description of your founder. Do you agree that you are like him? Why or why not? ______

Step 2: View the Interactive Painting Scene of the Constitutional Convention.

Go to: view the painting of the Constitutional Convention.

Find your delegate (from step) on the painting. You may have to click through a few people before you find him! Once you’ve found him, click “learn more” and then answer the following questions:

  1. What state is your delegate from? ______
  1. What type of job did your delegate perform? ______
  1. What is your delegate wearing in the Howard Christy’s painting? ______
  1. On what committees was your delegate a part?______
  1. From the biographical reading, was your delegate a supporter of the Constitution? ______
  1. List a few reasons why he was or was not a supporter of the new form ofgovernment for America. ______

Step 3: Go to . You will need to compare and contrast TWO of the paintings of the Constitutional Covention to the original version viewed by Howard Chandler Christy (seen in step 2).

Complete the following chart based on the three paintings observed:

Name of Painting and Artist / Creation Date / What do you see happening in the painting? (actions, people, objects, etc) / What type of emotion is evoked by this painting? (How does it make you feel? Do you like it? Why or why not?)
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution by Howard Chandler Christy / April, 1940

Step 4: Go to . Click on “broadband version.” On the interactive timeline, go to year “1787” and then answer the following questions. You will need to click along on various events and links.

In 1787 delegates call for a Constitutional Convention to occur in Philadelphia. The form of government the new nation had previously adopted was called the Articles of Confederation however the document was flawed.

  1. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail the new nation? ______
  1. During the convention debate arose over the amount of representation each statewould get in the new government. Describe Roger Sherman’s proposal that isknown as “The Great Compromise.” ______
  1. What state was the 1st to ratify the Constitution? ______
  1. What state was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution in 1788 (allowing theConstitution to be put into place)? ______
  1. Who allowed George Washington to become the 1st president of the United Statesin 1789? ______
  1. Not everyone gave their support to the ratification of the Constitution. Describewhy the Anti-Federalists were opposed to the Constitution. What did they want tosee added? ______

Step 5: Go to Answer the following questions by clicking on the red dots throughout the map of Philadelphia.

  1. In what building was the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutionsigned? ______
  1. This building is located on the corner of 2nd and Walnut Street and is the locationwhere many delegates met to dine and talk about politics. ______
  1. Why would someone have to go to the Debtor’s Prison? ______
  1. Why is Betsy Ross’s house an important part of American History? ______

Step 6: Go to Type in your zip code and hit enter. Answer the following questions.

  1. Who are my two senators for the state of North Carolina? List their full names and associated political party.
  2. Senator Name: ______

Political Party: ______

  1. Senator Name:______

Political Party: ______

  1. Who are my two representatives for my district in the House of Representatives? List their full names and associated political party.
  2. Representative Name: ______

Political Party: ______

  1. Representative Name: ______

Political Party: ______