4.1 Activity Guide: Convention Facts

This activity is part of Module 4: Constitutional Convention and Ratification from the Constitution 101 Curriculum. 

In this activity, you will learn more about the events of the constitutional convention.

Review the facts below and then answer the questions to check your understanding of the constitutional conventions.

• The original purpose of the Convention—as per the Confederation Congress—was to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
• The Convention took place in the old Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• The Convention met from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
• The Constitution was drafted in secret.
• All of the original 13 states except for Rhode Island sent delegates.
• Fifty-five delegates attended the Convention. Some came and left. Thirty-nine signed the final document.
• All were men. 
• Almost all participated in the Revolutionary War. 
• Almost all served in state government. 
• More than half were lawyers. Most were wealthy landowners. 
• Twenty-five delegates held enslaved people.
• Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate, 81. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest delegate, 26. The average age was 42.
• Thomas Jefferson was serving as minister to France.
• John Adams was serving as minister to Britain.
• Patrick Henry refused to participate. 

Fill in the Blank Questions

1. The original purpose of the Convention—as per the Confederation Congress—was to revise the _____________.
2. The Convention took place in the old Pennsylvania State House, now known as ___________________, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
3. The Convention met from __________ to ______________, 1787.
4. All of the original 13 states except for ________________ sent delegates.
5. Fifty-five delegates attended the Convention. Some came and left. ____________ signed the final document.

True or False Questions

1. Both men and women participated as delegates.    _________________________    
2. Many delegates fought in the Revolutionary War.    _________________________
3. No delegates served in the state government.     _________________________
4. More than half of the delegates were lawyers.     _________________________
5. Most of the delegates were wealthy landowners.     _________________________
6. Twenty-five delegates held enslaved people.    _________________________
7. The average age of the delegates was 29.        _________________________

Matching Questions

• Match these figures to the questions below: Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Jonathan Dayton, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson

1. The oldest delegate at 81                    ________________
2. The youngest delegate, 26                    ________________
3. Did not attend, as was serving as minister to France    ________________
4. Did not attend, as he was serving as minister to Britain     ________________
5. Refused to participate                     ________________

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