pam phlet eer The Pamphleteer Project PRONUNCIATION: p m fl tîr

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1 The Pamphleteer Project Mr. Hunwick US History Unit 3 The Constitution Thomas Paine The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition pamphleteer SYLLABICATION: pam phlet eer PRONUNCIATION: p m fl tîr NOUN: INTRANSITIVE VERB: A writer of pamphlets or other short works taking a partisan stand on an issue. Inflected forms: pam phlet eered, pam phlet eer ing, pam phlet eersto write and publish pamphlets.

2 Overview: During the colonial period of American history the colonists relied heavily on pamphlets to communicate, distribute information, and persuade others. Many times these writers of pamphlets used a pseudonym or fake name. The Federalists and Anti Federalists are a perfect example of such a type of pamphleteering. The Federalists (John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, & James Madison) attempted to persuade the American colonists to adopt the new government or Constitution created in Philadelphia in The Federalists created an elaborate pamphlet titled the Federalist Papers. The Anti Federalists (Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, Robert Yates, George Clinton, Sam Adams and Luther Martin) countered the Federalists. They were opposed to the new government or Constitution. These Anti Federalists believed that a strong national government could not work properly in a republic & they did not feel that the rights of the individual were properly protected in the new form of government. They expressed their ideas in several pamphlets known as the Anti Federalist Papers. The intent of these pamphlets was to persuade the American people of their opinions in an effort to have them not adopt it. Ultimately the Federalists managed to convince the colonial populace to adopt the new government and today the Constitution remains our national government. *Remember, however, the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments or additions to the US Constitution) was NOT added to the newly proposed government until September 25 in proposed amendments were submitted by James Madison to the National Congress at that time & not until 1791 were 10 of these officially adopted & known today as the Bill of Rights.

3 Your Task or Mission: Imagine you were an American citizen back in 1787 during the months following the Constitutional Convention (held from May July of 1787). Your task or mission is to decide whether or not you are in favor of or against the newly proposed government (known as the Constitution) that was created that very hot summer in Philadelphia. From what you have read, heard, witnessed, and/or viewed, on which side of the Federalist/Anti Federalist Argument do you stand; take a stance on this issue. Create your own pamphlet, just as these individuals did in 1787, to convince the American people of your opinion. Express your opinions on this matter; try to persuade others to your opinion; and make sure that you incorporate and/or address each of the items below in your pamphlet

4 TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS Next TWO Days are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) > Use of device is for work... no games... no texting/tweeting/ to others... > School Policy will be upheld... when leave this classroom you are to put device away. > READ the RULES again so you are clear as to what the expectations are... Parcells Lap top computers may be available; but do not depend on their availability or quality use (they're old). May opt out of technology use but it will be a four point deduction (from 20 possible points) to your overall grade. If you don't have a device in school you will use paper, pencil, colored pencils, etc. to complete or work on the project. You may use a library or the Parcells 7th Hour program after school to enter written work onto a technology device to meet the 4 point requirement. You are NOT limited to just written work. You may create a YouTube broadcast using ALL the pamphlet requirements in lieu of the other processes available.

5 Pamphleteer Project Helpful Hints: Avoid using or writing phrases that initiate "reader doubt." For example there is no reason to write: "I think" "I believe" "I'm not sure but" "in my opinion". The length of a quality story or article has no limit; it only as a minimum requirement. The minimum expectation is that you adequately describe your stance on the topic. How much that is depends on the quality of your prose (great sentences make for shorter paragraphs). Always use PROOFS to give your opinionated stance its needed persuasive power. Federalists are FOR the adoption or ratification of the Constitution. Anti Federalists are AGAINST the adoption or ratification of the Constitution. There is NO Bill of Rights in the Constitution yet in the fictitious time period for which you are writing.

6 Pamphleteer Project Requirements: A. Develop a title for your pamphlet. This title should be unique or specialized to your stance or opinion. It should also indicate your stance on this issue (for or against the adoption of the Constitution). Freddie's Phat-Federalist Times B. Create a Heading. The heading is to contain your pseudonym (a fictitious name to conceal ones identity). Choose a pseudonym that fits or relates to your stance. Write an introductory article to explain who you are and why you are writing this persuasive pamphlet. C. Develop a minimum of three articles or stories. The topics of the three stories or articles are as follows:

7 Article or Story #1: 1. Explain why you have chosen your stance. Why are you a Federalist? Which means you are FOR the the adoption or ratification of the Constitution. Or why are you an Anti Federalist? Which means you are AGAINST the adoption or ratification of the Constitution. Make sure that in your explanation of this stance you use multiple proofs to validate your opinion. You may use some of the Costitutional Principles from the Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy (CV of ACD) here to assist you. How do these principles positively or negatively effect the United States and its people? Keep in kind that there is no Bill of Rights yet.

8 USE AS PROOFS...

9 Article or Story #2: 2. Write a story or article on the elasticity of the Constitution; the ability to change or amend the government. Laws can be added by the Legislative Branch with Presidential input or declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Amendments, like a Bill of Rights, can be added or parts removed. Is this a good or bad thing?

10 Article or Story #3: 3. Write a story or article on the power of this proposed new national government. This new government gives added power to the national government while taking away some of the powers that State Governments had grown accustom to having. Is this a good or bad thing?

11 Pamphleteer Project Requirements: D. Your Pamphlet must contain a minimum of one picture, info graphic and/or illustration. This must be something that enhances your stance it must relate to your opinion and/or stories. Additionally, ensure that the item relates to the fictional time period of 1787.

12 Grading of the Pamphleteer Project the project is worth 20 points. The break down of the grade you earn is as follows: 1. Title is worth 1 point. 2. A quality, well written heading or introduction is worth 2 points. 3. Usage of at least one quality, well related picture to your stance is worth 1 point. 4. Each of the articles or stories is worth 4 points each. 5. Use of technology to create your pamphlet rather than hand written is worth 4 points.

13 Work may completed using: DUE on Friday Worth 20 Points Turn in a copy or E mail it Individual Project You will NOT Present it