United States History Student Edition

TOPIC ACTIVITIES

FLORIDA SKILLS BENCHMARKS

Apply What You Have Learned

• SS.8.A.1.1 • ELA.K12.EE.1.1

• SS.8.A.1.2 • ELA.K12.EE.2.1

• SS.8.1.3 • ELA.K12.EE.5.1

A Understanding Multiple Perspectives

chosen by the people directly. . . . I am captivated by the compromise of the opposite claims of the great and little states, of the latter to equal, and the former to proportional influence. . . . I will now add what I do not like. First the omission of a bill of rights. . . . The second feature I dislike, and greatly dislike, is the abandonment in every instance of the necessity of rotation in office, and most particularly in the case of the President. . . . If once elected, and at a second or third election outvoted by one or two votes, he will pretend false votes, foul play, hold possession of the reins of government. . . . I think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly agricultural; and this will be as long as there shall be vacant lands in any part of America. When they get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, they will become corrupt as in Europe. Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to; convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty. ” — Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Paris, December 20, 1787

American leaders had different ideas about the Constitution and how the new government should be structured. Letters, articles, and other primary sources from this period in history help explain their ideas and opinions on forming a new nation.

ACTIVITY Writing a Comparison Essay Read the excerpt from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison while living in Paris about what was proposed at the Constitutional Convention. Determine Jefferson’s opinion on the new Constitution and how it related to democracy. Analyze the reasons he includes to support his perspective. Then research another point of view on the Constitution from the time of the convention by a delegate or other official. Write an essay to compare and contrast this point of view with Jefferson’s. Evaluate which argument is more effective and why, citing both writers. “ I like the power given the Legislature to levy taxes; and for that reason solely approve of the greater house being The process of ratifying the Constitution took many months, as states held conventions one by one and cast their votes. Delegates met to discuss and debate and ultimately to decide whether to vote in favor of or against the plan for a new government. Nine states were required to approve the Constitution for it to be adopted. Understanding Chronology B

ACTIVITY Creating a Constitution Ratification Time Line Research and list the major events that happened during the ratification process, beginning with the Framers deciding to send the document to the states in 1787, the ratification of the Constitution, and ending with the ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791. Create a time line that shows at least eight events from this process in chronological order, including months and years. Include a short explanation of the significance of each event.

PHOTO: ©Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo; TEXT: Jefferson, Thomas. 1787. From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 December 1787. Jefferson Papers.

First Governments and the Constitution 213