Similarities and Differences

James Madison:
young
not married
Developed the Virginia Plan
Virginia
Died June 28, 1836

Same:
men
federalists
Lots of siblings
Both signed the Constitution
Both spoke in Constitutional Convention

Elbridge Gerry:
Vice president
old
married
Massachusetts
Died November 23, 1814

Bell Ringer! Aug. 31, 2012

     I think that if you are wanting and planning to vote that you should have to give all of the required information, which includes ID. If you make it so you don't need any ID then almost anyone who wanted to could vote, including underaged kids. Id should always be the first thing they ask for when voting.

Bell Ringer! Aug. 30, 2012

     Hurricane isaac is hitting New Orleans and the lower regions of Louisana and Mississippi. People are dead, houses are destroyed and Lousiana and Mississippi are under declared federal emergency. Eventhough this is an awful state of chaos, Isaac is not as bad as Hurrricane Katrina.

Bell Ringer! Aug. 29, 2012

     I never knew you could legally fake your own death, although its not very likely to do it successfully without breaking other laws such as fraud. I don't think faking your own death is a crime at all, I think if that's what you want to do you can do it, so long as you don't break a thousand other laws in the process. I think if you did fake your own death you'd have to then be completely detached from society, if you decide to be dead then you can't have any fun; you have to be alone.

Elbridge Gerry

What is your name? -
My name is Mr. Elbridge Gerry.

How old were u in 1787? -
During the year of 1787, I was 43 years old.

What is your personal history up to 1787? -
I was born on July 17, 1744 in Marblehead Massachusetts and I was one out of my parents 11 children. As a young child I was privately tutored up until my enrollment in Harvard College in 1758. After finally graduating, I returned home to get started in the family business of sailing and trading. The first step I ever really took against the British wasn't until the spring of 1770 when I served on a local committee to ban the selling and consumption of tea to the people. I was then lucky enough to be elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1772.  Later on I was elected in to the second continental congress of Massachusetts in 1775, which would eventually lead to bigger things like becoming George Clinton's vice president in 1812 thanks to Madison.

What was your role in Constitutional convention? -
I was very proud to have been an active member and participant in the convention. Out of four Massachusetts's delegates chosen to go, I was one. Mine and my fellow federalists views were shared and stressed to amazing degrees in order to get as many people to realize that this would be the change and new hope America needed.

What stated views would explain your actions during the Constitutional Convention? (use quotations in your answers and cite sources) -
In 1787, I attended the Constitutional Convention, which I was said to have been, "one of the most active participants in the entire Convention." I was always ready to give my opinion, especially if it was about the great compromise, and I wanted others to understand why we thought we needed this document. www.senate.gov


What is your stance during the ratifying conventions?-
 I,being a proud supporter for the Constitution, had always believed that the ratification would be a glorious and extremely helpful thing, unfortunately, not everyone thought the same as I. My only worry was that complete anarchy would ensue.

Who supports your viewpoint? -
The other federalists who were completely for the Constitution shared my viewpoint in basically every aspect. We had come to an agreement that we wanted to be our own people. I will say that James Madison and I worked closely under the stress of the Constitution and he eventually got me vice presidency.

What are your views of this new plan of government? - I believe that this new form of government will prove to be a lot more beneficial that being under the constant and unfair rule of England. I did worry though, that it would fall through, I had my doubts, but was positive that all positive things would outweigh the negative eventually.

What are the benefits or dangers? (cite sources) - The benefits of having a new nation and Constitution are that we are now our own people and have our own unalienable rights. Power is distributed evenly so corruption is rare. Everyone is entitled to the pursuit of happiness. The dangers are that chaos could ensue and anarchy could take over. www.senate.gov

Bell Ringer! Aug. 28, 2012

     I don't think that the prisoner should lose his religious freedom, but I also don't think he can have any good enough excuse as to aiding an enemy country. I agree that he should be in jail, longer than 20 years in my opinion, but they should make it so he can still pray and follow his religion. They won't let him follow his religious prayer in a group, but he can still pray by himself, so he should either have the choice to take it or leave it.

Aug, 27, 2012 Notes

Ratification- to approve
Sept 17, 1787- Constitution Day

Federalists- Supported The Constitution
-led by James Madison
-James Wilson
-John Jay
-George Read
-Alexander Hamilton
-Roger Sherman
-Rufus King
-Washington

Anti-federalists- Did not support The Constitution
-George Mason
-Patrick Henry
-Richard Henry Lee
-George Clifton
-Samuel Adams
-Elbridge Gerry
-Robert Yates
-Melacton Smith

"The Federalist Papers" - Written by three men; purpose was to make you support The Constitution.

The Constitution says that 9 states must ratify a new "law" (The Constitution) in order for it to go into effect. 1st state Delaware, 9th state New Hampshire, 13th Rhode Island.

Who attended The Constitutional Convention: * symbolizes who did NOT sign it
Connecticut
Ellsworth (Elsworth), Oliver*
Johnson, William S. - Did sign!
Sherman, Roger 
Delaware
Bassett (Basset), Richard
Bedford, Gunning, Jr.
Broom, Jacob
Dickinson, John
Read, George
Georgia
Baldwin, Abraham
Few, William
Houstoun, William*
Pierce, William L.*
Maryland
Carroll, Daniel
Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas
Martin, Luther*
McHenry, James
Mercer, John F.*
Massachusetts
Gerry, Elbridge*
Gorham, Nathaniel
King, Rufus
Strong, Caleb*
New Hampshire
Gilman, Nicholas
Langdon, John
New Jersey
Brearly (Brearley), David
Dayton, Jonathan
Houston, William C.*
Livingston, William
Paterson (Patterson), William
New York
Hamilton, Alexander
Lansing, John, Jr.*
Yates, Robert *
North Carolina
Blount, William
Davie, William R.*
Martin, Alexander *
Spaight, Richard D.
Williamson, Hugh
Pennsylvania
Clymer, George
Fitzsimons, Thomas
Franklin, Benjamin
Ingersoll, Jared
Mifflin, Thomas
Morris, Gouverneur
Morris, Robert
Wilson, James
South Carolina
Butler, Pierce
Pinckney, Charles
Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth
Rutledge, John
Rhode Island
Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Virginia
Blair, John
Madison, James
Mason, George *
McClurg, James*
Randolph, Edmund J.*
Washington, George
Wythe, George*

Bell Ringer! Aug. 27, 2012

     I really think that it was strictly a case of religious discrimination. They first told the girl that her uniform, including her long skirt, wouldn't be a problem, but when she actually shows up in it, it then becomes an issue. I think they didn't want to cause any controversy by allowing her to actually wear her skirt, people would see it and start to talk about it. I agree with her.

Civics Assignment for August 23, 2012

1. Define the Constitution…..in your own words in a PARAGRAPH (3-5 sentences)

         To me, the Constitution is the set law of the land. It tells everyone who lives here how it should be and what they should expect and strive for. It also serves as a basis and a set of rules to the higher authority groups (the three branches). The Constitution then continues to let we the people know our God given rights of the land. Without the Constitution we would never have had any kind of guideline to follow from the start.

2. How would your life be without the constitution ? - Mine and every ones life would probably be complete chaos right from the start. I would more than not be ruled by someone right now, the whole country would. The average people wouldn't have a voice for themselves.

3. Define the following words:

Ratification- The approval of or confirmation of something done by a higher authority.

Faction- A smaller clique inside of a larger group, like a political party.

Federalism- A type of concept that is kept together by certain members; a specific system within the government.

Federalist/ Anti federalist- Anti federalists are the ones who did not want to ratify the Constitution. They believed that it gave too much power, so they weren't for it. The Federalists were the ones who believed we should have some rights and that the government wouldn't have a power problem because it would be split into three parts.

Compromise- A deal or agreement that is supposed to make everyone a little bit happy. You have to give a little to get.

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)- An agreement that was made that set a legislative structure representation for each state, and was enforced under the Constitution.

Checks and Balances- The system set up by separating power and making three branches legislative, executive and judicial. This system ensures that one branch won't get more powerful than the others.

Democratic Republic- A country that is classified as a democracy and a republic. The public has the power mostly.

Delegated Powers of the Federal Government- The Expressed powers, the Implied powers and Inherent powers. What the Federal Government has the power to carry out.

Reserved Powers of the State Governments- Powers to conduct elections, powers to establish local governments, to select U.S. senators, etc. powers the states can conduct.

Separation of Powers- The making of three distinct branches to carry our different jobs and to remain equal in power. They essentially work together in the end.

Civil Liberties- Specific rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to within living in the U.S.

Bell Ringer! Aug. 24, 2012

     I really don't agree at all that conventions and campaigns and all the stuff should be planned and staged like they are a lot of the time, with the exception of writing speeched and what not. I also don't think that political people and authority figures should be involved in social networks like twitter or facebook or what have you.

Bell Ringer! Aug. 23, 2012

     I really don't think that campaigning against your team, The Green Bay Packers, will get you very far; when you openly support or cheer on another team (The Steelers.) Ryan aparently had said before that he was a Packers fan, but now, due to the terrible flag waving that was just so awful, it doesn't look like he made that good of an impression on the Packers fan.

Citizenship Test

     Well...I did alright..I guess..Is it bad that my dad and 13 year old brother did better than me???

Bell Ringer! Aug. 22, 2012

     As a Republican, I'm hoping that Romney will somehow come out on top, but by the looks of it so far Obama is still in the lead. Makes me quite sad, but its not over yet and theres still a chance. Hopefully I'll be able to vote in November..every one counts right?

All About Me

     Hey! I'm Chloe and some of my favorite things are writing, cooking and singing/listening to music. I like sports too but cant really play any of them that well (I'm too clumsy), so I'm more of an artsy person. I'm really laid back and easy going most of the time, so I don't really get mad about a lot of stuff, which I think is a great thing, who really has time to be mad about every little thing anyway.