United States History Student Edition

TOOLKIT ACTIVITIES

FLORIDA SKILLS BENCHMARKS

Apply What You Have Learned

• SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.1.2

• SS.8.A.1.6 • SS.8.CG.2.2

• SS.8.G.1.1 • SS.8.G.3.2

A Understanding Multiple Perspectives

In 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention approved a new Constitution for the United States. The document then went to the states for approval. By 1788, Americans across the country were debating the arguments for and against ratification, or approval, of the Constitution. These excerpts are from that time period. “ If a weak State, with powerful tribes of Indians in its rear, and the Spaniards on its flank , do not incline to embrace a strong general Government, there must, I should think, be either wickedness, or insanity in their conduct. ” —from a letter to Samuel Powel, by George Washington, January 17, 1788 “ The executive and the legislative are so dangerously blended as to give just cause of alarm, and every thing relative thereto, is couched in such ambiguous terms—in such vague and indefinite expressions, as is a sufficient ground without any other objection, for the reprobation of a system, that the authors dare not hazard to a clear investigation. ” —from Observations on the New Constitution, by Mercy Otis Warren, 1788 flank side reprobation an expression of rejection or condemnation ACTIVITY Comparing and Contrasting Perspectives Read the two excerpts concerning the ratification of the Constitution. Then write an analysis about the credibility of each source, any bias you may detect, and areas where the excerpts agree or disagree.

Building Citizenship B Citizens have roles, rights, and responsibilities. As a citizen, you have a responsibility to be informed about issues in your community. You also have the right to voice your opinion about them. ACTIVITY Writing an Essay About a Local Issue Write an essay that outlines your thinking on an issue that your school or community is currently facing. Include a suggestion for citizen action that you and fellow students might take that could improve or solve the situation.

(1)Maggs, Gregory E. A Concise Guide to the Records of the State Ratifying Conventions as a Source of the Original Meaning of the U.S. Constitution. Illinois Law Review, Vol. 2009, No. 2. Champaign, Ill.: University of Illinois College of Law, 2009; (2) Warren, Mercy Otis. Observations on the new Constitution, and on the foederal and state conventions. By a Columbian patriot.; Sic transit gloria Americana. New York: Thomas Greenleaf, 1788.

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