A New Nation and State
The Constitutional Convention was a gathering of state delegates to rewrite the Articles of Confederation and create the Constitution. Nine of the Thirteen colonies were needed to ratify the Constitution in order for the Constitution to be in effect. The nation began to divide into two parties, those for the Constitution and those opposed. South Carolina was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution but it is stated by Historian George Roberts - “Charleston and the surrounding parishes were represented at Philadelphia, South Carolina was not.” This is because South Carolina had tensions between the Upcountry and the Low country. The delegates chosen to represent South Carolina were mostly from the Lowcountry and perhaps did not have equal representation of the entire state.
Lesson Created By: Lori Powers
Lesson Partners: Lexington/Richland School District 5, ETV Education, Knowitall.org
Essential Question
Do people make political decisions based on where they live, their place in society, and how much money they earn?
Grade(s):
- 8
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
- Computers/tablets with internet access
- Groups will use a technology format that allows them to present their findings in a slide presentation. PowerPoint is a possible format but other resources are listed.
- For other resources, visit Technology Resources Vetted by SCETV Education
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Lesson Progression
Step 1
Divide the class into groups with a minimum of 4 students per group.
Step 2
Have each group complete the following activities.
Activity 1: Create a Map
Create a map that visually shows an agricultural picture of economic status in the state.
- Where were most of the plantations located?
- What other economic indicators showed wealth that were also connected to plantations?
- Can this be shown on the map? Where were most of the smaller farms located?
- Were the same indicators that were connected to plantations found on smaller farms?
- Can this be shown on the map?
- Was representation in state government based on population or geography?
Activity 2: Create a Visual
Create a visual that shows the home parish/township of the representatives in state government.
- Where do most live?
- What does that tell you about their economic status?
- Who was sent to represent South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention.
- Make a visual showing the area where they lived, and their economic status/how they earned their money.
Activity 3: Making Generalizations
Make a generalization based on what you know about the delegates who were chosen to represent South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention.
- How do the beliefs of Anti-Federalists differ from Federalists?
- In this instance did social class and wealth make a difference in political views?
- What were the political views of each of the South Carolina delegates?
- Would geography or economic status have made a difference in the delegates political views?
- Do you feel all social and economic views of citizens in South Carolina were fairly represented?
- Did the delegates make political decisions based on where they lived, their place in society, and how much money they earned?
Teacher Notes
Extensions/Differentiation:
Optional Reflection Opportunity: Using Todaysmeet.com or Padlet for each students project will allow students to participate in REALTIME academic conversations during the reflection process. The link to each project reflection will be provided right next to link for the commercial. Students will be able to read each other's responses and build on previous comments making feedback more constructive and meaningful for all involved.
High: Students can use statistics to show with numbers how the state was not fairly represented. And share predictions based on populations and existing data regarding the vote for or against ratification.
Low: Students will be given an outline to help guide them through their discovery of the opinions of upcountry and lowcountry.
Students will be given the option of a static campaign poster, social media post or commercial.
Birth Of The Constitution | History in a Nutshell
After the American Revolution, the new United States of America needed to form a permanent government of its own. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail, and how did the U.S. Constitution come to...
View AssetKnowitall.org - The Pinckney Draft | Forgotten Founder
In 1787, Philadelphia had a population of about 30 thousand people. It had paved streets, gas lamps, a fire company, a public library, a university, and was a model of what an American city should be. The atmosphere was filled with excitement because they knew this body was going to decide the future of America.The veteran legislators recognized how important rules would be, and Charles Pinckney was one of three who wrote the rules. The Pinckney draft was very similar to the Virginia Plan, largely the work of James Madison. Charles Pinckney laid his plan before the Convention, and his plan was referred to, in committee, and they drew from it.
View ResourceKnowitall.org - Articles of Confederation | Forgotten Founder
After considerable debate and alteration, the Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States' first constitution, and was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when the present day Constitution went into effect. (National Archives) - Photograph of the Articles of Confederation
View ResourceThe Pinckney Plan | Forgotten Founder
In 1808, when the record of the Constitutional Convention was being recorded by John Quincy Adams, he found the Pinckney Draught missing from all records. He wrote to Pinckney, who sent Adams what he thought was a duplicate of the original. It was so similar to the actual ratified constitution that several people, including James Madison, considered it bogus and concluded that Pinckney was dubiously trying to refocus the credit. Hence it would be years before Pinckney received proper credit for his contribution the Constitution. Since then many researchers have concluded that the Virginia Plan included many ideas found in Pinckney’s plan. (SCETV)
View ResourceConstitutional Convention
All resources connected to the Constitutional Convention of Knowitall.org
View ResourceGraph of Population of South Carolina in late 1700’s
Graph showing population numbers of Europeans and Africans in SC from 1700-1790.
View ResourceJournal of the Constitutional Convention of South Carolina
Journal of the Constitutional Convention of South Carolina, May 10, 1790-June 3, 1790
View ResourcePopulation of South Carolina 1790-1900
View Resource1790 Map of DIstricts of South Carolina
View ResourceStandards
- I Inquiry-Based Literacy Standards
- I.1 Formulate relevant, self-generated questions based on interests and/or needs that can be investigated.
- I.2 Transact with texts to formulate questions, propose explanations, and consider alternative views and multiple perspectives.
- I.3 Construct knowledge, applying disciplinary concepts and tools, to build deeper understanding of the world through exploration, collaboration, and analysis.
- I.4 Synthesize integrated information to share learning and/or take action.
- C Communication
- C.MC Meaning and Context
- C.MC.1 Interact with others to explore ideas and concepts, communicate meaning, and develop logical interpretations through collaborative conversations; build upon the ideas of others to clearly express one’s own views while respecting diverse pe...
- C.MC.2 Articulate ideas, claims, and perspectives in a logical sequence using information, findings, and credible evidence from sources.
- C.MC.3 Communicate information through strategic use of multiple modalities, visual displays, and multimedia to enrich understanding when presenting ideas and information.
- C.MC Meaning and Context
- 8.2.P Analyze significant founding principles that led to the development of federalism in South Carolina and the United States.
- This indicator was designed to encourage inquiry into the development of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and representative democracy.
- 8.2.E Utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources to analyze multiple perspectives on the development of democracy in South Carolina and the United States.
Assessments
Reflections will be graded as class work as either complete or incomplete. Incomplete is to be returned and finished.
Multimedia Rubric:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M6S_10Tdaq0stNiTKTQZm58mmm-z9VjFMjSB...