Lesson 10: The Miracle at Philadelphia I 
Reading Assignment: The Making of America, pages 133-153 

Pre-lesson questions for homework study and review: 

1. Describe the attempts made from 1782 to 1785 to persuade the American states to meet in convention to strengthen the national government. (page 134) 

2. Tell of the trade conference at Annapolis and how it provided the momentum for a larger convention. (135) 

3. How many states and delegates finally participated in the opening of the Constitutional Convention? 
What circumstances almost prevented George Washington from attending? (136) 

4. What two important leaders of the day did not attend the convention, and why? 
Describe the varied experience and backgrounds of those who did attend. (137) 

5. Besides Washington, name thirteen other notable personalities who attended the convention. 
Become familiar enough with these men that you could participate in a "Name That Founder" quiz. (138-53) 



Lesson 11: The Miracle at Philadelphia II 
Reading Assignment: The Making of America, pages 154-162 

Pre-lesson questions for homework study and review: 

1. Read through the 41 recommendations of the Virginia Plan, and comment on several points you feel are noteworthy. (Pages 155-56) 

2. Review the rules under which the Constitutional Convention was conducted. (157) 

3. Explain the difference between consensus and compromise. What were the three major compromises agreed to in the Constitution? (158) 

4. What were the major plans presented to the convention? (158-59) 

5. What was the "crisis period" of the convention, and what suggestions were made to solve the crisis? (159-60) 

6. Describe the time line of the convention after July 26 and the activities of the final committees. (161- 62) 

7. Briefly tell about the ceremony at which the Constitution was signed. (162) 



Lesson 12: The Founders Invent a New System of Political Science I 
Reading Assignment: The Making of America, pages 165-181 

Pre-lesson questions for homework study and review: 

1. How did James Madison describe the achievement of the framers of the Constitution? (165-66) 

2. Describe the two kinds of republics the founders were familiar with. Did they adopt either pattern? (166-67) 

3. What particular elements of the British system did the founders reject? (167-70) 

4. What elements of a confederation of states did the founders reject? (171-74) 

5. Describe four steps the founders went through to develop a whole new system of government. (174-76) 

6. Describe the vertical distribution of powers in the founders' system. (176-78) 

7. Briefly describe five levels of civic responsibility within each of the states. (179-81) 

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