Civics Today Citizenship, Economics, & You

"Constitution Facts"

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the Constitutional Convention and the structure of the Constitution itself. During one hot summer, fifty-five men argued, compromised, and created our nation’s plan of government. Despite the changes that have taken place as the United States has grown in size, population, power, and technology, that document still provides an effective form of government.

Destination Title: The Constitution of the United States

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Directions
Start at the National Archives and Records Administration's Web site on the Constitution.

• Click on Constitution of the United States.
• Click on A More Perfect Union.
• Read the article up through the section titled "First Draft."

1			The delegates from how many states were present on the first day of the Convention?
2			Why did George Washington hesitate about attending the Constitutional Convention?
3			How many delegates were supposed to attend the Convention? How many actually attended the Convention?
4			Which state refused to send delegates to the Convention? Why?
5			Click the "Back" button. Click on Meet America's Founding Fathers. Scroll through the list and select one of the delegates by clicking on his name. Read the biography of the delegate you selected, and write a speech that this delegate might have made on one of the major issues facing the Convention.