The United States Constitutional Convention TCC

The United States Constitutional Convention will simulate the Convention in which the United States’ brightest citizens crafted their country’s blueprint for governance. Before the Convention, the United States had a weak and ineffective federal government called the Article of Confederation. The Confederation Congress essentially tried to coordinate the autonomous states in the country, but it had almost no powers to institute a national agenda or defend the country from attack. With the knowledge that their young country was failing, fifty-five delegates converged on Philadelphia to draft the guidelines for the United States’ next attempt at a government.

In USCCC, each delegate will be assigned to a historic individual who was in attendance at the Convention. Each delegate will have a set of objectives that they will attempt to achieve: some goals depending on the state they represent and potentially some personal goals depending on past writings. Delegates will be debating four main topics and will vote on three articles. The first topic of debate will be the role of the federal government and checks and balances. The following topics align with the three articles that will be passed: Article 1 is the powers of the legislative branch, Article 2 is the powers of the executive branch, and Article 3 is the powers of the judicial branch. 

The committee has four pedagogical goals: first, delegates will learn basic political theory such as separation of powers, checks and balances, the American common law system, and Constitutional law. Second, delegates will learn the history of post-Revolutionary America which will help to explain many of the aspects of the real Constitution. Third, delegates will develop their ability to collaborate, negotiate, and debate with their peers. Fourth, delegates will practice their public speaking skills.

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