Create a front page of a newspaper from 1) November 1777 following the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, 2) December 1786 in the middle of Shays’ Rebellion, 3) July 1787 following the passage of the Northwest Ordinance, 4) September 1787 following the Three-Fifths Compromise, or 5) September 1787 following the Connecticut Compromise (the Great Compromise). On the front page of your newspaper include the title of the newspaper, a hand drawn image related to the cover story, and the cover story detailing the event you’ve selected and it’s significance to the country at that time. Use your textbook and other reliable sources to gather information before writing your newspaper article. List your sources on the back of your newspaper.

Answer 1

Newspaper Template 1: November 1777 following the adoption of the Articles of Confederation

Title: The Independent Gazette

Hand-drawn Image: A group of representatives placing their signatures on the Articles of Confederation.

Cover Story:

A Watershed Moment in American History: Adoption of the Articles of Confederation

In a significant turn of events for our young nation, the Continental Congress has adopted the Articles of Confederation, officially establishing a form of government among the thirteen sovereign states. After much debate, John Dickinson's draft of the Articles was approved on November 15, 1777.

This decisive moment secures a confederation of states, each maintaining its sovereignty while collectively solving matters of common concern, such as defense and trade. The Articles create a one-house Congress, in which each state is given one vote, signifying the crucial need for cooperation among states.

As we await each state's ratification of the Articles, we celebrate this moment as a crucial step towards further solidification of a United States built on freedom and cooperation.

Sources:

1. The Articles of Confederation, adopted by Congress in 1777.
2. Letters and articles reflecting the debates surrounding the Articles' adoption.

Newspaper Template 2: December 1786 in the middle of Shays' Rebellion

Title: The Boston Bulletin

Hand-drawn Image: A group of angry farmers with pitchforks surrounding a government building.

Cover Story:

Farmers Rise Up: Shays' Rebellion Rages On

As tensions between debtor farmers and the Massachusetts government continue to escalate, Shays' Rebellion shows no signs of abating. Dating back to August of this year, the group of rebels, led by former Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays, has been protesting high taxes, economic hardships, and perceived injustices against indebted farmers.

Shaysites, as they are commonly known, now march across the state demanding a fairer taxation system, and better representation. While many local militias have refused to engage the farmers, there are rumblings of growing government concern.

With the Articles of Confederation under question and a nation searching for stability, this rebellion surely tests the limits of our young government.

Sources:

1. Correspondence and reports from eyewitnesses depicting the Shaysites' concerns.
2. Government documents outlining the current taxation laws and regulations.

Newspaper Template 3: July 1787 following the passage of the Northwest Ordinance

Title: The Frontier Sentinel

Hand-drawn Image: A map of the Northwest Territory divided into sections with settlers starting new communities.

Cover Story:

The Northwest Territory: A New Frontier for America

On July 13, 1787, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, opening a new world of opportunity for our nation's expansion. The legislation outlines several crucial points, including:

- The establishment of a territorial government in the Northwest Territory, open to American settlers.
- The division of the Northwest Territory into no fewer than three, and no more than five, new territories.
- A prohibition on slavery throughout the territory.

This bold move has laid the foundation for future growth, and the potential for additional states to be established within our ever-strengthening union.

Sources:

1. The text of the Northwest Ordinance adopted by Congress in July 1787.
2. Speeches and declarations of support from national leaders and settlers.

Newspaper Template 4: September 1787 following the Three-Fifths Compromise

Title: The Constitutional Courier

Hand-drawn Image: Representatives from various states seated around a table discussing the issue of representation.

Cover Story:

States Reach a Compromise: The Three-Fifths Agreement

Striving towards a more unified nation, delegates to the Constitutional Convention have reached a compromise on the highly contentious issue of representation within the new government.

The Three-Fifths Compromise, as it has been called, will count each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining a state's population. This agreement has quelled tensions between Northern and Southern states, paving the way for broader discussions on the drafting of a new Constitution.

Sources:

1. The details of the agreement reached during discussions at the Constitutional Convention.
2. Speeches from delegates and their explanations of the compromise.

Newspaper Template 5: September 1787 following the Connecticut Compromise (the Great Compromise)

Title: The Philadelphia Post

Hand-drawn Image: Representation from each state shaking hands, marking the conclusion of the Connecticut Compromise.

Cover Story:

A Uniting Force: The Connecticut Compromise Reached

In a groundbreaking decision at the Constitutional Convention, delegates have agreed on the Connecticut Compromise, a two-house system of representation for the new government. Combining the Virginia Plan's call for proportional representation and the New Jersey Plan's insistence on equal representation, the Great Compromise embodies the spirit of unity necessary for the success of our nation.

The new system will include a lower house, the House of Representatives, based on each state's population and an upper house, the Senate, in which each state will have equal representation.

As the Constitutional Convention enters its final days, this compromise signals the dawn of a new era in the United States.

Sources:

1. Speeches and statements from the Constitutional Convention outlining the details of the Connecticut Compromise.
2. Reactions from various states' representatives to the agreement.