Week of 2/8

Here are this week's plans:

2/8 (Monday)--Articles of Confederation. We will discuss the chaotic and troubled period of U.S. history between the end of the Revolutionary War in 1781 and the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1789. During this time, the governing document of the United States was the Articles of Confederation. We will learn about the weaknesses of this government, and why a new and more powerful central government was required. Assignment: Google "Daniel Shays" and/or "Shay's Rebellion." Learn two facts about these topics and be prepared to share them in class tomorrow.

2/9 (Tuesday)--Shay's Rebellion. Today we will learn about Daniel Shays, the rebellion among western Massachusetts farmers in 1786 that bears his name, and how that event galvanized (set into motion) the call for the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Why would a Revolutionary War hero take up arms against elected officials in his home state? The answer, as you will learn, is not so different from the reasons we just studied for why the colonies revolted against King George and declared independence!

2/10 (Wednesday)--Constitutional Convention and the "Great Compromise." Today we will examine the key events of the Constitutional Convention that took place in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. In particular, you will watch a film that dramatizes the key event of the convention: the "Great Compromise." Without this critical achievement, the Constitutional Convention might well have failed! We will also learn about a few other key steps on the road to the Constitution. Assignment: Read the Federalist No. 51 handout, and be prepared to answer the discussion questions in class tomorrow. This will be an individual writing assignment!

2/11 (Thursday)--Writing Activity--Federalist No. 51. Today we will analyze one of the essays from the Federalist Papers, a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to encourage ratification (adoption) of the newly-drafted Constitution of the United States in the state of New York. In this famous essay, Madison discusses the advantages of a key provision of the government contemplated by the new Constitution: separation of powers. Answers to the discussion questions are due tomorrow by the end of class!

2/12 (Friday)--Ratification of the Constitition; Establishment of Federal Government. We will conclude our study of Unit I by examining the fight to ratify the Constitution, and the initial establishment of the central (federal) government after the Constitution was ratified in 1789, including the adoption of the Bill of Rights in 1791.

Next week, after a Monday holiday, we will review for the unit exam on Tuesday, then take the unit exam on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, we will begin Unit II by examining the structure of the Constitution (Thursday) and the concept of federalism (Friday).

Have a great week!