Introduction
Once the American Revolutionary War was over and won, the next task at hand was creating the type of government for this new nation. This led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 where our Founding Leaders gathered to debate the next course for the nation. Out of this convention came the most important documents that govern this nation and the structure of government.
Task
Imagine it is 1787 and you are one of the few able to attend the Constitutional Convention. As an individual with the immense responsibility to set the course for this nation what would you have included in the Founding documents and would you have been for the system of government that was adopted during the Convention and that which we have today (or would you have supported the Articles of Confederation).
Process
1. Students should begin by exploring the Founding Documents on the National Archives Page and at the Bill of Rights Institute to see the structure of how these documents are written.
2. Next, they will explore two of the three branches of government that were created at the Constitional Convention: The Legislative Branch and the Judiciary Branch.
3. Students will then write an argument for whether they would have supported the Constitution and the Separation of Powers in the 3 Branches when it was proposed during the Convention
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. America’s Founding Documents
Evaluation
Students' response should reflect a comprehensive understanding of the structures of government and arguments should be valid and must be void of the flaws listed in FlackCheck.
Conclusion
At the end of this lesson, students should have a better understanding of the Founding documents that have governed this nation and the structures of government.