Ratification of the United States Constitution

National Constitution Day Lesson Plan

Using E.S.P. Teaching Strategy

Copyright © 2011

The Ratification of the U.S. Constitution55 State Delegates from all states except Rhode Island attended the

Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May 1787

The purpose…to decide upon a new form of government for the newly formed nation, The United States of America

George Washington presided over the meetings as President of the Convention

All delegates agreed that three main branches of government were needed:Legislative, Executive and Judicial

Two very different points of view on law making soon came to light during the meeting sessions

Conflict within CongressWilliam Paterson of New Jersey proposed a plan to protect the rights of small

states and their representation within Congress

New Jersey

Edmund Randolph of Virginia proposed a plan to protect the rights of larger states and their representation within Congress

Virginia

The Compromise

After much debate, a compromise was reached…Congress would be comprised of two parts.

* The House of Representatives would allow for state population to dictate state representation

* The Senate would allow each state to be represented in an equal number of delegates

Introducing the ConstitutionOn September 17, 1787…

The Constitution was signed by the delegates and was sent to each state to be approved by the people.

To become a law, the Constitution needed to be approved by 9 of the 13 states

This was not as easy of a task as was thought…

Another ConflictSome people supported the Constitution. They were called the Federalists

and wanted a strong central government.Such as George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

Others opposed the Constitution and feared a strong central government since independence was just won from Britain. They were called the Anti-Federalists.

Such as Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry

The each side wrote many letters, articles and gave persuasive speeches trying to gain support for their point of view.

A New CompromiseThe Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution, as it stood, did not

protect the basic rights of citizens from a strong and powerful central government.

In order for ratification to take place, the Federalists promised to amend the Constitution with the Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights was written by James Madison and contained 12 changes to the Constitution that would protect the people’s right such as life, liberty, property, pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, religion and press and legal procedure.

The states agreed upon and adopted only 10 of the 12 proposed changes.

What is E.S.P.?

E.S.P. = Economic, Social and Political

This strategy helps students begin to examine a historical figure or historical event in depth as a historian would.

It helps students to gain a better understanding of a historical figure’s characteristics or accomplishments and how they left their mark upon society economically, socially and politically.

It helps students to investigate historical events and understand the impact of each event upon society economically, socially and politically.

Using E.S.P. to study the Constitution

The Effects of Ratifying the United States Constitution

Economically Socially Politically

The Effects of Ratifying the United States Constitution

Economically Socially Politically

Protection of property, regulation of commerce and taxes printing of money

Protection of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, due process, freedom of speech, religion, and print

Establishes new form of government, protects basic rights, establishes branches of government, system of checks and balances, election process, representation of the people within Congress