Name
Simulation: Constitutional Convention
APUSH (2016-17)
Mr. Hess
More often than not, students learn a bland description of the Founding Fathers in their
textbooks. Textbooks tend to treat the fifty-five individuals as one group and not as separate
political leaders with their own agendas. As a result, over-simplification of these critical leaders
underestimates the complexity of issues they discussed during the summer of 1787. Students
must understand the background, regional differences, and political agendas of these individuals
surrounding the issues of the day: representation, slavery, and a Bill of Rights. Furthermore,
understanding the beliefs of these individuals and their regions will help to understand the roots
of the Civil War, Civil Rights Movements, and other issues that have remained constants
throughout the history of the United States.
To that end, your group will be assigned the role of one of the following Founding Fathers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
James Madison, Virginia
Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts
Roger Sherman, Connecticut
William Livingston, New Jersey
Governour Morris, Pennsylvania
George Mason, Virginia
Charles Pinkney, South Carolina
Luther Martin, Maryland
John Rutledge, South Carolina
10. Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut
THURSDAY: To prepare for the convention, you should review Chapter 9 and read the two
supplemental readings on Mr. Hess’ teacher page. Take notes on their background as well as
their views on representation, slavery, and the Bill of Rights. Find your assigned politician in
each of the following documents:
1. National Archives – Founding Fathers (found on Mr. Hess’ teacher page)
2. The American Spirit – Founding Fathers (found on pages 171-174)
FRIDAY: In class, we will follow the below agenda:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Welcome and Call to Order
Biographical Background and Introductions
Discussion: Issues of Representation – Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan
Discussion: Issues of Slavery
Discussion: Issue of Bill of Rights