The Great Debate

Contributor: Brian Anthony. Lesson ID: 11489

If you put 10 politicians in a room, you'll get 20 opinions. Arguing can be good if it's constructive and productive. The U.S. was born out of a heated convention. Learn about this debate!

categories

Civics, United States

subject
Government
learning style
Visual
personality style
Otter, Golden Retriever
Grade Level
Middle School (6-8)
Lesson Type
Dig Deeper

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Sometimes, people argue. Issues pile up, and things get tense.

However, there can be productive arguments when disagreement leads to honest and open discussion and an attempt to reach a better solution.

That was the situation at the Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia some 240 years ago. This famous series of meetings gave the United States of America its form of government.

Reflect on how much you already know about the U.S. Constitution. Write down answers to these questions.

  • What is the Constitution?
  • What is it used for?
  • Who were some of the figures involved in composing it?

People often call the American form of government an experiment in democracy. There is a good reason for that!

The Founding Fathers, who formulated this government, culled together bits and pieces of the governments they had observed or learned about through studying history and philosophy. The result was a form of government that no one had seen before.

No one knew how long it would last. Over 240 years later, the original system they established is still moving forward despite setbacks.

The Founding Fathers convened to create this system because the one that had been in place under the Articles of Confederation since the Revolutionary War was not working well.

Examine the events of this gathering, known as The Constitutional Convention, and find out what took place there. As you read the article, seek the answers to these questions.

  • Who attended the convention?
  • What were the attendees' goals?
  • What processes or procedures did they use?
  • What did they accomplish?

Then, reflect on the following questions.

  • What role did the Constitutional Convention play in American history?
  • Why do you think the delegates followed the processes and procedures they did?
  • What results did they achieve?
  • What, if anything, was left unresolved?

Writing the Bill of Rights was one of this constitutional debate's most enduring and essential parts.

In the Got It? section, examine the arguments made in favor of and against the Bill of Rights more closely.

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