A complete document-based question (DBQ) packet on the framing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, built around one arguable question: Was the Constitution ratified on its merits, or on a promise?

Students work from six real primary sources spanning 1787 to 1791 - the Convention floor, the newspaper fight, an official act of ratification, and the vote counts themselves.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• One compelling question with a background essay that sets the context without answering it
• Six curated public-domain primary sources: the Virginia Plan (1787), the New Jersey Plan with the Articles of Confederation voting rule it preserves, “Brutus” No. 1 (1787), The Federalist No. 51 (1788), the Massachusetts form of ratification with its recommended amendments (1788), and a data table of all thirteen state ratification votes with the First Congress’s 1789 transmittal and Amendment I
• 18 scaffolded document-analysis questions, labeled by skill: sourcing, context, and close reading
• 5 cross-document corroboration questions that make students read the sources against each other
• An evidence-based writing prompt with a 4-point analytic rubric (16 points total)
• A complete answer key with a target response for every question, plus two model thesis statements - one for each side
• Teacher notes on the New Jersey Plan misconception, the disputed vote counts, and where to cut if you are short on time

WHY THIS ONE

• It corrects a misconception most materials repeat. The New Jersey Plan contains no resolution proposing equal representation - it keeps the Articles’ Congress, which already gave each state one vote. Two questions are built on students discovering that
• It includes a real data source. The ratification vote table lets students analyze margins, not just memorize an order - and the teacher notes flag where official sources disagree on two states
• The question is genuinely open. The key includes strong model claims on both sides, so the rubric rewards the argument rather than the answer

FORMAT

• Print-first PDF, US Letter, low-ink, no filled backgrounds
• Answer key at the back, on its own pages
• No prep, no logins, no devices - just print

GOOD FOR

• A no-prep sub plan or emergency sub day in a US History or Civics classroom
• Constitution Day, or the founding unit
• Homeschool, hybrid, and remote settings

PAIRS WITH

• The American Experiment video worksheets - episodes 4 and 5 cover the Convention and ratification, so the film carries the story while this packet carries the evidence

America’s 250th anniversary keeps founding-era documents in front of students all school year.

TERMS OF USE

• For single-classroom / single-teacher use. Do not redistribute or post publicly.
• © Response Resources. All rights reserved.