In this Grade 5 lesson from IMPACT California Social Studies, students learn how the Constitutional Convention of 1787 led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation. Students examine key conflicts between the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan over legislative representation, and how the Great Compromise resolved disagreements between large and small states. The lesson covers foundational concepts including the two-house legislature, delegate representation, and the ratification process.
Section 1
The Constitutional Convention
In 1787, leaders from the states gathered for the Constitutional Convention. Their first goal was to fix the country's first government, the Articles of Confederation. This government was very weak and had many problems.
As the delegates debated, many realized that just fixing the Articles would not be enough. They decided to do something much bigger. They would create a completely new plan for a strong national government.
Section 2
The Great Compromise
At the Constitutional Convention, delegates from large and small states argued. Large states wanted representation in the new government to be based on population. Small states worried their voices would be lost if they had fewer representatives.
Two different ideas emerged. The Virginia Plan suggested that states with more people should get more votes. The New Jersey Plan proposed that every state should have an equal number of votes, no matter its size.
Section 3
Limiting Power
The delegates wanted a strong government but also feared it becoming too powerful. They created a system of federalism, where power is shared between the national government and the state governments. This was the first major step to limit authority.
Next, the delegates divided the national government's power into three separate parts. This separation of powers created a legislative branch to make laws, an executive branch to carry them out, and a judicial branch to interpret them.
Section 4
Delegates Compromise on Slavery and Representation
Another major conflict at the Convention was about slavery. Southern states wanted to count enslaved people to gain more representatives in government, giving them more power. However, they did not want to count enslaved people when determining taxes.
Northern states disagreed. They argued that since enslaved people were treated as property and could not vote, they should not be counted for representation. This created a deep division among the delegates.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
The Constitutional Convention
In 1787, leaders from the states gathered for the Constitutional Convention. Their first goal was to fix the country's first government, the Articles of Confederation. This government was very weak and had many problems.
As the delegates debated, many realized that just fixing the Articles would not be enough. They decided to do something much bigger. They would create a completely new plan for a strong national government.
Section 2
The Great Compromise
At the Constitutional Convention, delegates from large and small states argued. Large states wanted representation in the new government to be based on population. Small states worried their voices would be lost if they had fewer representatives.
Two different ideas emerged. The Virginia Plan suggested that states with more people should get more votes. The New Jersey Plan proposed that every state should have an equal number of votes, no matter its size.
Section 3
Limiting Power
The delegates wanted a strong government but also feared it becoming too powerful. They created a system of federalism, where power is shared between the national government and the state governments. This was the first major step to limit authority.
Next, the delegates divided the national government's power into three separate parts. This separation of powers created a legislative branch to make laws, an executive branch to carry them out, and a judicial branch to interpret them.
Section 4
Delegates Compromise on Slavery and Representation
Another major conflict at the Convention was about slavery. Southern states wanted to count enslaved people to gain more representatives in government, giving them more power. However, they did not want to count enslaved people when determining taxes.
Northern states disagreed. They argued that since enslaved people were treated as property and could not vote, they should not be counted for representation. This created a deep division among the delegates.