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Constitutional Compromise

Game

Constitutional Compromise challenges you and your students to find a way forward for a young nation as disagreements mount. Engage in the ideas discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and discover the compromises made by the 55 delegates.

In this game, you and your students will hear from delegates as they cast their vision for the future of the United States and weigh the options. Students will balance the interests of a diverse set of states, navigate the interests of delegates who envision vastly different roles of the new government, and process the difficult decisions addressing the institution of slavery in the states. This game invites students to not only understand how issues were resolved in 1787, but to further explore the unfinished work of the Convention in securing liberty and happiness for all.

Not all compromises are (or were) the ideal outcomes. While based on real debates and historical arguments, this game should not be considered a historical reenactment. Players cannot win the game by simply choosing as the delegates did. Rather, the purpose of this game is for players to work through the challenges of the time. In the end, your students will discover how their game play compares to what really happened in Philadelphia.

In Constitutional Compromise, your students will: 

  • Experience the main historical debates of the Constitutional Convention
  • Identify points from each side of a debate to build a compromise
  • See how game compromises compares to the historical outcome
  • Discover the modern relevance of each debate

For English and Multilingual Learners: Use the support tool, Spanish translation, voiceover, and glossary.

Teachers, check out the Extension Pack with activities and teaching tools to reinforce key game concepts.

This game was made in partnership with George Washington's Mount Vernon, with support from Kenneth C. Griffin. 

Constitutional Compromise Extension Pack

Activities and teaching tools to reinforce key game concepts.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Explore the key questions debated during the convention
  • Evaluate the arguments made during the debates
  • Describe the compromises made in the convention to maintain forward momentum
  • Describe George Washington’s role in the Constitutional Convention
  • Connect the experience with the original constitution and current constitutional law

This Game is included in the following units:

Road to the Constitution

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    Constitutional Compromise Extension Pack

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