United States History Student Edition

Looking Ahead In this topic, you will learn how the newly formed United States attempted to create the world’s first truly democratic government, eventually leading to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. What Will You Learn? In these lessons about First Governments and the Constitution, you will learn: • the successes and failures of the United States’ first attempt at government, the Articles of Confederation • the debates and compromises that occurred during the Constitutional Convention • the roles of key figures in the writing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution • the key principles of government embodied in the U.S. Constitution • the political ideals that influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution • the rights and responsibilities related to American citizenship ? COMPELLING QUESTIONS IN INQUIRY ACTIVITY LESSONS • How and why do governments control territorial expansion? • What concerns do people have when forming a government?

KEY EVENTS OF FIRST GOVERNMENTS AND THE CONSTITUTION

1775

1776 Some states adopt first state constitutions 1777 Articles of Confederation adopted

1780

1781 Maryland finally approves the Articles of Confederation, making them the official basis of the government of the United States

1785

1786 Shays’s Rebellion begins 1787 The Northwest Ordinance sets rules for territories to become states 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begins

1790

1790 Rhode Island is last state

to ratify the Constitution

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.CG.2.1 • SS.8.CG.2.2 • SS.8.CG.2.3 • SS.8.CG.2.4 • SS.8.CG.2.5 • SS.8.CG.2.6 • SS.8.CG.3.1 • SS.8.E.1.1 • SS.8.E.2.2 • SS.8.E.2.3 • SS.8.G.1.2 • SS.8.G.2.1 • SS.8.G.2.3 • SS.8.G.4.1 • SS.8.G.4.4

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.1.4 • SS.8.A.1.6 • SS.8.A.1.7 • SS.8.A.3.9 • SS.8.A.3.10 • SS.8.A.3.11 • SS.8.A.3.12 • SS.8.A.3.13 • SS.8.A.3.3 • SS.8.A.3.5 • SS.8.A.3.9 • SS.8.CG.1.3

1791 The first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, are ratified

1795

Sequencing Time Did Shays’s Rebellion occur before or after the start of the Constitutional Convention?

North Wind Picture Archives/Alamy Stock Photo

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