AP U.S. Government and Politics Glossary

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Framers

Definition

The Framers refers to the Framers of the Constitution - the people who created and wrote the U.S. Constitution. The Framers of the United States Constitution were delegates to the Constitutional Convention who helped draft the document. Some of the most well-known Framers include: 

  • Alexander Hamilton: Considered a founder of the idea that the judiciary should act as a guardian of the Constitution 

  • Benjamin Franklin: oldest Framer by a mile - 81 years young

  • John Adams: he’s dead now

  • Thomas Jefferson - scoundrel who owned over 600 enslaved persons

  • James Madison: Playas Gon’ Play

  • George Washington: the richest man in America at the time 

  • Alexander Martin: A Founding Father who represented North Carolina (WHOOT) at the Constitutional Convention 

  • William Richardson Davie: A Framer of the Constitution at age 30 (so young then, not so young now!)

The Framers' main goal was to create a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk. The Framers did not all agree on everything, there were factions and major disagreements over many issues including representation, and the strength of the national government, but they agreed that the United States needed a constitution. The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. A number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. In all, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

Example

 
 
 
 

Questions

  1. Who were some of the most important Framers of the Constitution?

  2. What did the Framers do?

  3. According to the Framers of the Constitution, where did natural rights come from?

  4. Did the Framers agree on everything?

  5. Has the Constitution generally worked out as the Framers hoped?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Framers! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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