The Creation of the American Constitution

elective courses

Classroom

This course will examine the historical background that led to the establishing the United States Constitution of 1787 and to the period immediately following that shaped the various institutions established by the Constitution. Students will come to understand the political crisis faced by the Government of the US under the Articles of Confederation and how the majority of political leaders around the country came to the conclusion that a new constitution was needed. Students will closely examine the Philadelphia Convention and the ratification debates that followed in the States. The course will then focus on the 20-year period following the creation of the new government, seeing how the new Constitution was put into practice

This course will examine the historical background that led to the establishing the United States Constitution of 1787 and to the period immediately following that shaped the various institutions established by the Constitution. Students will come to understand the political crisis faced by the Government of the US under the Articles of Confederation and how the majority of political leaders around the country came to the conclusion that a new constitution was needed. Students will closely examine the Philadelphia Convention and the ratification debates that followed in the States. The course will then focus on the 20-year period following the creation of the new government, seeing how the new Constitution was put into practice.

1. Introduction

The Colonial and Revolutionary War experience Eilliot vol 1.

The Creation of the First National gov’t: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation

The Political Crises of the Articles

The Need for a new constitution.

The Annapolis Convention

2. The Philadelphia Convention Farrand Vol 1& 3

May 14th to May 19th

3. The Philadelphia Convention Farrand Vol 1 & 3

June 19th to July 19th

4. The Philadelphia Convention Farrand Vol 2 & 3

July 14th to July 26th

5. The Philadelphia Convention Farrand Vol 2

July 27th to August 4th

6. The Philadelphia Convention Farrand Vol 2

August 6th to September 17th

7. The Public Debate Begins Debate on the Constitution vol 1.

Sept to end of November

8. The Debate intensities Debate on the Constitution vol 1

December and February Eilliots Vol 2

The Pennsylvania Convention

9. Reaction increases

Connecticut Convention Eilliot Vol 2

Massachusetts Convention

Jan and Feb public debate Debate on the Constitution vol 2

10. Consensus forms

Maryland Convention Eilliot Vol 2 & 4

South Carolina Convention

Public Debate March- May Debate on the Constitution vol 2

11. Almost done!

New Hampshire Convention Eilliot Vol 2

Public debate May to mid June Debate on the Constitution vol 2

12. Hold outs: Virginia

The Virginia Convention Eilliot Vol 3

Public Debates in June/July Debate on the Constitution vol 2

13. Hold outs: New York Eilliot Vol 2

Public Debates in June/July Debate on the Constitution vol 2

14: Hold outs: North Carolina and RI Eilliot Vol 4

North Carolina Convention

Wrap up of public debates Debate on the Constitution vol 2

Elliot, Jonathan. The Debates of the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787 5 Volumes

Farrand, Max, ed. The records of the federal convention of 1787. 4 Vols Yale University Press, 1911.

Bailyn, Bernard, ed. The Debate on the Constitution 2 Vols (Library of America# 62 and 63). Library of America, 1993.

The student will gain knowledge of the historical background by which the American Federal Union was created.

The student will learn how political compromise can be achieved and how such compromise can and cannot be publicly defended in a democratic society with strong factional interests.

Students will come to understand the different tools of rhetoric and their impact on political process and the formation of political institution. And see possibilities for contemporary crossovers

Students will learn how to formulate and execute critical arguments in English.

Take Home Assignments. (three at 33% each). Each assignment the student will be asked to address a particular aspect of a) The Philadelphia Convention, b) one state ratifying debate, and c) the public debate over the whole process. Each take home test will be in the form of an essay answering the specific question assigned for each assignment. Due dates for each assignment will be set during the semester. The test/essay must be typed (or word-processed) in a standard format, double spaced and between 5-7 pages (excluding bibliography/reference page).

Students will be assessed on their ability to effectively defend their understanding of the answer to the given question. Emphasis on effective use of evidence and strength of reasoning as well as historical/factual accuracy.

Strengthening the students ability to critically analize documents in English.

Strengthening the ability of the student to be an effective communicator about political and social matters in written English.