Key People during the making of our Constitution! Take good notes 

John Locke His views on natural rights reflected the Constitution. Natural Rights=Life, Liberty, and Property He created the “2 Treaties of Civil Government”

John Adams Served as an ambassador to Great Britain Contributor to the Declaration of Independence 2nd President of the United States Unable to convince British to honor promises in the Treaty of Paris Lawyer

George Washington Political Leader, and leader of the Constitutional Convention Led rebels through American Revolution 1st President Believed nation wouldn’t survive under weak A.O.C.

Richard Henry Lee Urged the Rights of Property be clearly defined President of Congress Inspired that the states should have a “say so” in the government

Daniel Shay Leader of Shay’s Rebellion in 1780 Forced courts in the western part of the state to close Led angry farmers to the court so their land could not be taken Revealed the weakness of the A.O.C. because it gave states too much power (Shay’s Rebellion)

James Madison Called for a stronger national (central, federal) government to bring states together Father of the Constitution Kept record of the Constitutional Convention’s notes Voted President of the Congress

Roger Sherman Creator of the “Great Compromise” which proposed different representation in the 2 house legislature Formed the committee of the Declaration of Independence

Alexander Hamilton Proposed our nation’s 1st political parties Made changes to the Constitutional Confederation Federalist – believed that the Constitution would give the national government power to manage problems facing the U.S.A. (Supported the Constitution – would protect people’s rights) Writer of the Federalist Papers

Ben Franklin A leader in the Pennsylvania legislature Federalist who contributed to the Federalist Papers Business person, scientific genius, and skilled political leader 1st Post Master – Head of post office Wrote the “Poor Man’s Almanac” Wrote series of essays published in newspapers and sent to delegates

John Jay Wrote Jay’s Treaty – Solution of the British to keep them off of the American soil. Contributor to the Treaty of Paris Contributor of Federalist Papers

George Mason A Virginia delegate who refused to sign the Constitution because it didn’t contain a Bill of Rights Anti-Federalist - someone who opposed the Constitution because it didn’t have a Bill of Rights

Patrick Henry A member of the Virginia House of Burgesses He wanted the colonies to unite in firm resistance to Britain Claimed Constitution didn’t put limits on government power Anti-Federalist

Robert Morris He wanted to help the national debt by proposing a 5% tax Leader of the Department of Finance in 1781 He polished (revised) the final draft of the Constitution

James Wilson He did important work on the details on the Constitution by making sure the facts were true and fair A Federalist from Virginia One of the 1st members from the House of Burgesses

Baron de Montesquieu One of the two philosophers who wrote “The Enlightenment” He declared powers of government to be separated and balanced in the “Spirit of Laws” (this would prevent a group or person from having to much power)

Edmund Randolph Stated that the Virginia Plan called for a strong national government He opened the Constitutional Convention Federalist from Virginia who proposed the Virginia Plan

** Sandra Day O’Conner ** An Arizona Appeals court judge who Ronald Regan chose to be the 1st woman Justice on The Supreme Court She witnessed increased opportunities for women

Exit ticket Minute Summary Summarize in 2 sentences why these men are so important in our nation’s history. IFC – Remember to use correct punctuation and capitalization on your exit ticket. 

Exit Ticket Minute Summary Who stands out most in your mind about the people we talked about? Why? IFC – Remember to use correct punctuation on your minute summary.