The Constitutional Convention: Unit Guide Packet Overview

The Constitutional Convention Complete Unit Guide Packet Overview The Constitutional Convention took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia. Although the Convention was intended to revise the league of states and first system of government under the Articles of Confederation, the intention from the outset of many of its proponents, chief among them James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, was to create a new government rather than fix the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington of Virginia to become President of the Convention. Several broad outlines were proposed and debated, most notably Madison?s Virginia Plan and William Paterson?s New Jersey Plan. While the concept of a federal government with three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) and the general role of each branch was not heavily disputed, several issues delayed further progress and put the success of the Convention in doubt. The

Then, briefly describe the significance of each event in the final column. Year Event Significance

1781 Articles of Confederation Ratified Articles were significant because they established the functions of a national government of the United States, ratification was significant because it symbolized the unification of all 13 states as one nation.

1781 British Surrender at Yorktown Ended the American Revolutionary War, began the process of peace treaty between the American colonies and Britain and recognized the United States of America as independent from Britain.

1783 Treaty of Paris Signed Officially ended the war and formally recognized the United States as independent and gave most of its territory to the US.

1786-1787 Shay?s Rebellion Shay?s Rebellion exposed the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and the lack of federal unity and state power over citizens