Unit 2 Creation of

the Constitution

How did the Framers create the Constitution?

Essential Question

Lesson 8:     What were the Articles of Confederation, and Why Did Some Founders Want to Change Them?

Lesson 9:     How was the Philadelphia Convention Organized?

Lesson 10:   Why Was Representation a Major Issue at the Philadelphia Convention?

Lesson 11: What Questions Did the Framers Consider in Designing the Three Branches of the National Government?  

Lesson 12:    How Did the Delegates Distribute Powers between National and State Governments?

Lesson 13: What Was the Anti-Federalist Position in the Debate about Ratification?   

Lesson 14:    What Was the Federalist Position in the Debate about Ratification?   

Unit Overview

After independence, America’s first form of government, the Articles of Confederation, proved inadequate.

Fifty-five men, the Framers, met to create the US Constitution, during which they debated the most basic ideas about political life and government institutions.

In this unit, you will learn ◦ Why the Articles of Confederation were replaced◦ Why the Constitution was created as it was◦ And how the debates over ratification raised issues debated to

this day.

Unit 2 Purpose