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Why did the authors of the Constitution set up the system of checks and balances?

How did the framers of the US constitution incorporate their values into the constitution?

The United States has a written constitution. What are the alter­
natives?

Creating the Constitution

This activity will promote investigation, research, and debate. Through the process of simulation you will gain insight into the special interests delegates brought to the Constitutional Convention and the compromises made in order to form the most revolutionary document on the history of the world.

Assign the role of key delegates to friends. Allow time for research in the following areas:

a. Age at the time of the Convention
b. Occupation, education, and marital status
c. Member of the Continental Army
d. Representative to the Continental Congress
e. Signer of the following documents: Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.
f. Supporter of the Constitution
g. Attitudes represented
h. Other interesting highlights

Summarize the report

Divide the delegates according to small states (Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Connecticut), large states (Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia), and in between states (Georgia, New York, South Carolina). Allow the delegates in these states to decide their position. Once positions are established ask delegates to debate in their role. Issues to be debated are:

a. The Great Compromise
b. Industrial vs. Agrarian interests
c. State rights vs. Federalism d. 3/5 Compromise

Adapt the Constitution to current ideals. Share these ideas.

Copyright 2008