The Constitution: Framework for
Government in the United States
Session 4: Ratifying the U.S. Constitution

Materials

• Copies of The Federalist
• Copies of Anti-Federalist writings
• Internet access

Instructional Activities

NOTE: This activity requires students to work with selections from The Federalist and selected Anti-Federalist writings, so they can see the arguments of both sides during the ratification process for the United States Constitution.

1. Go to The Founders' Constitution Web site, <http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/>, select Indexes, and select topics for student research assignments. There are selections from The Federalist and various Anti-Federalist writings to draw from as well as many selections from the ratifying conventions of various states, including Virginia.
   
   
2. Direct students to construct charts that compare the arguments of the two sides on the topics that they have been assigned. (Students can work in groups, pairs, or individually.) An evaluation of this assignment may require students to construct an essay that states the positions of both sides and to conclude with how the student would have voted at the Virginia Ratifying convention. Emphasize that students should try to argue their points from the perspective of the citizens of Virginia at the time of the ratifying convention.