Constitutional Convention Worksheet

Question 1• The Constitutional Convention took place at the State

House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Question 2• Which state did not send a representative? Why?

Answer• Rhode Island did not send a representative because

it was afraid of losing state’s rights.

Question 3• There were 55 delegates to the Convention. Of these,

39 signed the Constitution, and 3 dissented.

Question 4• These delegates were selected by their states. They

were educated, patriotic, and experienced men, ranging from the ages of 40 to 81.

Question 5• What were some of the jobs the “Founding

Fathers?” What is one job they all had in common?

Answer• Some men were landowners and some were lawyers

or judges. All delegates held at least one public office.

True or False?• Women and minorities were present at the

Constitutional convention.

False• Women, minorities, and Native Americans were not

present at the Constitutional Convention.

True or False?• The writers of our Constitution wanted to make sure

that the new nation and its citizens would be free and independent, and that the government of the United States would protect the people from a government that was too powerful and from the autocratic rule of kings.

True• True, our Constitution protects the right of individual

citizens.

True or False?• Because the delegates didn't want the wishes of the

people to be denied by any part of government or by the power of any single leader, they decided to give the government the same powers as the Articles of Confederation.

False• The statement should read: The delegates didn't

want the wishes of the people to be denied by any part of government or by the power of any single leader, but they also knew the government must be stronger than the one based on the Articles of Confederation.

Question 7

• Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention? Why was his job difficult?

Answer• George Washington was the President of the

Constitutional Convention. His job was difficult because his job was to keep the meetings orderly and effective. This was no small task considering the many different points of view among the delegates.

Question 8• Delegates to the Constitutional Convention came

from different backgrounds and held different political views. For example, they argued about how many representatives each state should be allowed.

Question 9• The larger states favored the Virginia Plan.

According to the Virginia Plan, each state would have a different number of representatives based on the state’s population.

Question 10• The smaller states favored the New Jersey Plan.

According to the New Jersey Plan, the number of representatives would be the same for each state.

Question 11• A delegate from Connecticut, Roger Sherman,

proposed a two-house legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

Question 12• The Senate would have an equal number of

representatives from each state. This would satisfy the states with smaller populations.

Question 13• The House of Representatives would include

one representative for each 30,000 individuals in a state. This pleased states with larger populations.

Question 14• This two-house legislature plan worked for all

states and became known as the Great Compromise.

Great Compromise

• A and B. What was the first and last name of the man who proposed the two-house legislature?

Great Compromise

• Roger Sherman

Great Compromise

• Which legislative body has an equal number of representatives from each state?

Great Compromise• The Senate

Great Compromise

• Which states favored the Virginia Plan?

Great Compromise

• The Larger States

Great Compromise• Which plan was based on equal representation?

Great Compromise

• The New Jersey Plan

Great Compromise• Which plan was based on population to determine

representation?

Great Compromise• The Virginia Plan

Wrap Up• How many delegates were at the Constitutional Convention?

• How was the Constitution’s power different from the Articles of Confederation?

• Which states favored the Virginia Plan? Why?

• What part of the government was formed from the Virginia Plan?

• Which states favored the New Jersey Plan? Why?

• What part of the government was formed from the New Jersey Plan?

• What compromise was made in order to please both sides?