Constitution Unit Plan
IB Essay Questions:
1. “The debates over the ratification of the constitution contributed to the formation of
national parties in the United States during the 1790s.” To what extent do you agree
with this statement?
2. Analyze the main problems facing the United States under the Articles of Confederation
(1781). How far did the U.S. Constitution (1788) solve them?
3. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail to provide strong government?
4. For what reasons, and in what ways, was the U.S. Constitution of 1787 a “bundle of
compromises”?
5. Analyze the issues that led to changes in the United States’ political system between
1792-1797.
6. For what reasons, and in which ways, did the United States Constitution of 1787 change
the Articles of Confederation? (2012)
Objectives:
Students should be able to:
1. Analyze the failings of the Articles of Confederation.
2. Examine the philosophical basis for the constitution. Where did the ideas in the
document come from?
3. Describe the major compromises and changes to the constitution and the US political
system during this time period.
4. Explain how the debates during ratification led to the creation of political parties in the
U.S.
Readings:
1. By Friday, November 30 - read p.211-223 in The American Promise.
2. By Tuesday, December 4 - read p.223-231 in The American Promise.
3. By Friday, December 7 - read p.231-241 in The American Promise.
4. By Tuesday, December 11 – read p.243-257 in The American Promise.
5. By Friday, December 14 – read p.261-270 in The American Promise and p.84-88 in A
Young People’s History of the United States.
Be prepared for quizzes every Friday!
Identifications for Homework (to be done on index cards):
Articles of Confederation
Ratification
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Federalist
Land Ordinance of 1787
Anti-Federalist
Republic
Federalist Papers
Shay’s Rebellion
Bill of Rights
Great Compromise
Checks and Balances
Three Fifths Compromise
Electoral college
Jay Treaty
XYZ Affair
Note Card Due Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Essay Test Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Judiciary Act of 1789
Alexander Hamilton
Two-Party System
Constitution
Report on Public Credit
(Hamilton’s economic plan)
Whiskey Rebellion
Alien and Sedition Acts