1. What was the difficult decision facing George Washington in 1787?

2. What political events brought about Washington's decision?

3. What were his main reasons for not attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia?

4. What were his main reasons for attending the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington's decision to attend the Constitutional Convention involved alternatives, consequences, and goals. Anyone faced with a difficult decision should think carefully about these questions:

• What are my alternatives or choices?
• What are the possible and probable consequences, or outcomes, of each choice?
• What are my goals? (What do I want or value in this situation?)
• In view of my goals, which consequences are best in this situation?
• What choice or decision should I make? (Which choice is most likely to lead toward my goals)