Question

this is america charlie brown
episode 2: the birth of the constitution
instructions: as you watch the video, please answer each question. the answers are in chronological order.

1. in what city and state did the delegates schedule a meeting to solve the problems facing the young nation?
2. how many states sent representatives?
3. “for the past 10 years our country has been run under the rules of something called the
4. mr. randolph uses the word monarchy. what does the word mean?
5. in what month and year are the delegates meeting?
6. true or false: the meeting drags all the way into july?
7. understanding government: the great compromise stated that there would be two houses in the legislative branch. what were they (look at the graphic on the next page for help)?
8. who wants to borrow a kite from charlie brown?
9. what are the three branches of government?
10. true or false: the meeting drags all the way to september?
11. after many months of debate, the 13 states finally ratified the constitution. what does ratify mean?

american independence brought about some problems - specifically, who should be in charge? americans wondered how they could create a new government that could balance liberty with enough authority to get things done.
in 1781, the founding fathers adopted the articles of confederation. a confederation is “a perpetual league of friendship.” they proved to be too weak to help the govern the new nation, so the found fathers developed the u.s. constitution
the u.s. constitution has endured after all these years. we still use the u.s. constitution today and many governments around the world have copied the ideas from the constitution.
fill in the blanks
executive (enforces the laws)

Explanation:

1. The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. 12 states sent representatives (Rhode - Island did not attend).
3. For the past 10 years, the country was run under the Articles of Confederation.
4. Monarchy means a form of government with a king or queen as the head.
5. The delegates met in May 1787.
6. True. The meeting lasted into July.
7. The two houses in the legislative branch are the Senate and the House of Representatives.
8. Linus wants to borrow a kite from Charlie Brown.
9. The three branches of government are the executive, legislative, and judicial.
10. False. The meeting did not last until September.
11. Ratify means to give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, etc.) making it officially valid.

Answer:

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. 12
3. Articles of Confederation
4. A form of government with a king or queen as the head
5. May 1787
6. True
7. Senate, House of Representatives
8. Linus
9. Executive, Legislative, Judicial
10. False
11. To give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, etc.) making it officially valid