Constitutional Convention Review

In May 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states met in __________________________(1).

They planned to make changes in the Articles of Confederation. However, ________________ _________________(2), convinced them that they needed a new plan of government.

Because he suggested writing a new constitution, Madison is known as the ________________ ___ _____ ______________________ (3).

The meeting in Philadelphia that resulted in the creation of the US Constitution is now known as the __________________________ __________________________(4).

Directions: Use the vocabulary terms below to complete each blank in the reading. James Madison proposed a strong national government of three branches – the legislative, executive and __________________________(5) in the ____________________ plan(6).

Madison suggested that the number of representatives be based on the state’s __________________________(7), but the small states believed it was unfair.

Directions: Use the vocabulary terms below to complete each blank in the reading. After much heated debate, the convention agreed to have a ____________________ (8) or two house legislative branch.

Each state would have ______ members in the upper house, called the ______________________.

In the lower house, called the ____________________ _____ ______________________(11) the number of members were to be based on the state’s population.

Southerners wanted slaves to be counted for representation in the House of Representatives, but did not want them counted for collecting ________________(12).