To Do:
Answer these questions:
- When and where was the Convention held?
- What did delegates come there to do?
- Why was it so important?
What problems was the new nation facing? - Could the Articles of Confederation solve the problems? If not, why not?
- How long did it take the Convention to agree upon a Constitution?
- What were the smaller states afraid of and how was this addressed?
- Why was the Presidency such a big issue?
Some delegates feared the President would have too little power–why? - Others were afraid the President would have too much power–why?
- How did the Constitution seek to solve this?
To Do:
Find your Character.
Read about them.
Then answer these questions:
- What is your character’s name?
- Is he/she for or against independence from Britain—Patriot or Loyalist?
- Where does your character live? In America? If so, where? In a city or the country? In a northern state or a southern one?
- What part does he/she play in the founding of the nation?
- How would you describe him/her–what are some of their most important character traits, e.g. bravery, prejudice, intelligence, pride, sincerity?
- What is most interesting to you about him/her?
- Does/would your character vote to ratify the Constitution? Why/why not?
Scene-by-Scene
Start at the beginning of the play,
Read one scene at a time.
Then re-read that scene, and list:
- What happens?
- Who it happens to?
- Why it happens?
