The Writers of the U.S. Constitution

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Created by Benjamin K. Cory

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Writers

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Review of the

Constitution

WhoisIt?Fun Game

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Three Important Men

JamesMadison

GeorgeWashington

AlexanderHamilton

James Madison

Born March 16 in Port Conway, Virginia

Upon Arrival at the Constitution

• Was fairly unknown• Had experience from the Virginia Constitution

So how did this man become known as the “Father of the Constitution?”

“Father of the Constitution”

• Took many of the notes in the Constitution• Created “the Virginia Plan,” a 2/3 compromise

for the legislative branch• Urged the need for strong central government• Wrote essays to various states in support of

the governing documents

But He was not Done

• Campaigned for the ratification of the Constitution• After ratification, he was a member of the House of

Representatives• Introduced 19 amendments, 10 were passed• These 10 amendment became known as the “Bill of

Rights”

Post Constitution Life

• Married Dolley Todd 1794, no children• Went onto become the 4th President of the

United States• Died on June 28, 1836 in Montpelier at 85

years old• James Madison University is named after him

George Washington

February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland Count, Virginia

Pre Constitution Life

• Major for the British during the French and Indian War

• Married Martha Curtis• Major General for colonists during

Revolutionary War• Led colonists to victory over Britain, gaining

political knowledge during war

At the Convention- Philadelphia, 1787

• Elected President of the convention• Rarely participated but presided over debates• “His largest contribution was not that of his

counsel but that of his presence”- Douglass Southall Freeman

Constitution Contributions outside of Philadelphia

• One of the first statesmen to recognize flaws of Articles of Confederation

• Wrote people to call for new government document to replace Articles

• Became the lead endorser of the Constitution in the effort for its approval

Post-Constitution Life

• Became the 1st President of the United States from 1789-1797

• Died on December 14,1799 in Mount Vernon Virginia

• Capital of the United States, Washington D.C. is named after him

Alexander Hamilton

Born either January 11, 1755 or 1757 in the West Indies

Before the Constitution

• Began working at 11 and attended King’s College

• Publicly defended the Boston Tea Party• Formed own Company for Revolutionary War• Married Elizabeth Schuyler to connect to New

York’s Wealthier

Summer of 1787

• Urged states to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia

• Proposed a system like the British, with senators and a national “governor”

• Wanted a stronger federal government than the final document but nonetheless supported it

After the Convention

• Wrote essays for the ratification of the Constitution

• Traveled the states urging for the ratification of the Constitution

• Helped save the Constitution from being rejected by the states

After the Constitution

• Served as Secretary of State under Washington

• Leader of Federalist Party• Helped Thomas Jefferson win the election in

1802 over Aaron Burr

Death

• Burr was not happy with Hamilton over election and challenge him to a duel

• Burr shot Hamilton in the duel• Died July 11, 1804• Survived by 7 children and his wife

Who is It?

• Use the clues to see if you can figure out the historical figure

• Keep track of your own points on your own paper• Different clues= different amounts of points• See which level you are on at the end• Write down initials (JM= James Madison, GW=

George Washington, AH= Alexander Hamilton)• 10 clues, maximum of 30 points

Let’s Play

Clue 1 (1 point)- He was known as the “Father of the Constitution”RememberJames Madison- J.M.George Washington- G.W.Alexander Hamilton- A.H.

Clue 2 (1 point each)- 2 Constitution leaders from Virginia

Clue 3 (2 points)- Shot and killed in a duel with Aaron Burr

Clue 4 (4 points)- Introduced 19 amendment to the Constitution but only 10 were passed

Clue 5 (1 point)- He went onto become the first President of the United States

Clue 6- He went onto become the 4th President of the United States (3 points)

Clue 7- He was born in the West Indies (5 points)

Clue 8- “His largest contribution was not that of his counsel but that of his presence”- Douglass Southall Freeman. This quote was about who (4 points)

Clue 9- He proposed a system like the British with senators and a national “governor” (4 points)

Clue 10- Two men that fought in the U.S. Revolution (2 points each)

AnswersCount up your score from the answers below and then add it up1. J.M. (1 point)2. J.M.,G.W. (1 point each)3. A.H. (2 points)4. J.M (4 points)5. G.W. (1 point)6. J.M. (3 points)7. A.H. (5 points)8. G.W. (4 points)9. A.H. (4 points)10. A. H., G.W. (2 points each)

Add Up Your Score and See Where You Rank

Platinum Level- 30 points

Gold Level- 24-29 points

Silver Level- 15-24 points

Bronze Level- 0-14 points

Platinum LevelMove onto the quiz as you show a superb knowledge of the material. Click quiz and you will be ready to start.

Quiz

Awesome JobYour R

eady for th

e

Quiz

Gold, Silver, or Bronze Level

Return to the main page as you are not quite ready for the quiz and need to review a little more. Review the men and try to rise to the platinum level.

Almost! But study some more

Constitution Convention

• Convention met in summer of 1787• Convention met in Philadelphia• Signed September 17, 1787• Over 50 men attended and 39 signed• 3 of the most prominent roles belonged to

James Madison, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton

Going into Effect and Changes

• Needed ratification from 9 of 12 states• 9th state, New Hampshire, ratified on June 21st,

1788• First election was held in 1789• Has been amended 27 times since ratification• First ten amendment are known as Bill of

Rights

Quiz Time

• Test your knowledge of James Madison, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton

• Get the question right and move on• Get the question wrong and go back to home

review• To finish, you have to successfully answer all

10 questions in a row

Question 1

A. George WashingtonB. John JayC. James MadisonD. Benjamin Franklin

Which of these men was known as the “Father of the Constitution”

Correct!!!Move onto the question #2

Question 2

12

3

A. 1- Barack Obama, 2- Alexander Hamilton, 3- George WashingtonB. 1- James Madison, 2- Alexander Hamilton, 3- George WashingtonC. 1- George Washington, 2- Alexander Hamilton, 3- James MadisonD. 1- Alexander Hamilton, 2- James Madison, 3- George Washington

Correct!!!

Move onto question #3

Question 3

What founding father went on to become the first President of the U.S.?

A. George WashingtonB. James MadisonC. Thomas JeffersonD. George Bush

Correct!!!

Move onto question #4

Question 4

What were the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called and who introduced them?A. Bill of Rights- George WashingtonB. The Freedom Law- John JayC. The Freedom Law- James MadisonD. Bill of Rights- Alexander HamiltonE. Bill of Rights- James Madison Hint!

Hint to Question 4

The first 10 amendments were not written by the first President of the U.S. but by a member of the House of Representatives.

Correct!!!

Move onto question #5

Question 5

Which of the founding fathers was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr?A. James MadisonB. Thomas JeffersonC. John AdamsD. Alexander Hamilton

Correct!!!

Move onto question #6

Question 6

Where was the U.S. Constitution written?A. Washington D.C.B. Miami, FloridaC. Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaD. London, EnglandE. New York, New YorkF. Indianapolis, Indiana

Correct!!!

Move onto question #7

Question 7

“His largest contribution was not that of his counsel but that of his presence”- Douglass Southall Freeman. This was quote about which of the following men?A. Edmund RandolphB. James MadisonC. George WashingtonD. Alexander Hamilton

Correct!!!

Move onto question #8

Question 8

Who created the “Virginia Plan?”A. Tom VirginiaB. George WashingtonC. Alexander HamiltonD. James Madison

Correct!!!

Move onto question #9

Question 9

What year was the Constitution Convention held?A. 1789B. 2011C. 1786D. 1787

Correct!!!

Move onto question #10

Final Question

Who was born in the West Indies?A. George WashingtonB. Alexander HamiltonC. James MadisonD. None of the above

Incorrect

Return to the home page and review the Constitution material and the founding fathers

You have completed the quiz and successfully know the information presented in the PowerPoint and have mastered the knowledge. Continue to explore or move onto the next slide for references and exit.

CONGRATULATIONS

References

• Biography.com• Gilderlehrman.org/historynow• Americaslibrary.gov• Montpelier.org• Pbs.org

Press escape to exit the program

Teacher Pages

• Objectives• Standards• Previous Knowledge• Environment• Target Audience

Beginning

Objectives

1. Based off the information, the student is able to tell the roles of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington played in the Constitution with 100 % accuracy

2. Given a quiz, they are able to successfully name the hometown and state or province of each of these 3 men are from. Identify with 100 % accuracy.

3. Given a picture of the men, the students are able to name each man and tell some of the main facts of their live and impact on the Constitution with 100 % accuracy.

Standards

• S.1.10- Identify major British and Americans and describe their roles in key events of the war for independence

• S.1.14- Explain why the U.S. Constitution was created in 1787 and how it established a stronger union among the original 13 states by making it the supreme law of the land. Identify people who were involved with its developments

Previous Knowledge

• City and Year of Constitution was written• Background of the basic of the Constitution• Some information on the people that wrote it

Environment

• Computers• PowerPoint• Internet• Headphones• 5th grade classroom

Target Audience

• Under motivated• Low-income• Struggling in social studies and American

History