Ratification and the Bill of Rights

Chapter 8, Section 3

The framers of the Constitution designed a republic- a government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives.

Influences of the Constitution

The Magna Carta (1215)– citizens have certain rights, and no one is ‘above’ the law.

The English Bill of Rights (1689) – further limited the monarchy and protected the rights of citizens.

Influences of the Constitution cont… The Virginia House of

Burgesses (1619) – America’s 1st representative government

Mayflower Compact (1620) – 1st document of self-government in North America

Influences of the Constitution cont… The Enlightenment – the belief

that society can be improved through the use of science and reason.

John Locke – English Enlightenment thinker.• In 1690, declared everyone had a

right to life, liberty, and property.• Declared that citizens have a right to

rebel against a government/leader if their rights are violated.

Montesquieu – French Enlightenment thinker.• In 1748, stated government

should be divided into 3 branches- legislative, executive, and judicial.

“Separation of Powers” – dividing a government into different branches, so no one branch becomes too powerful.

Influences of the Constitution cont…

Federalism a system of government in which

power is shared between the central (or federal) government and the states.

States- certain powers reserved for them.

Shared Powers

Nation-Certain powers reserved for central government.

The Federal SystemPowers Delegated to

the National Government

Shared Powers(Concurrent)

Powers Reserved to the States

•Regulate interstate/foreign trade•Set standard weights/measures•Create/maintain armed forces•Copyright/patent laws•Establish post offices•Establish foreign policy•Create federal courts•Coin money•Declare war•Admit new states

•Provide for public welfare•Administer criminal justice•Charter banks•Raise taxes•Borrow money

•Create corporation laws•Regulate trade within state•Establish/maintain schools•Establish local governments•Make laws about marriage and divorce•Conduct elections•Provide for public safety

Concern for the new Constitution Americans began to debate the new

Constitution for months.

The document had been widely distributed in newspapers and pamphlets across the country.

The framers suspected that people might be afraid the Constitution would take too much power from the states.

Concerns of the Federalists Federalists- those who supported the Constitution.

Felt that the Articles of Confederation were too weak.

Wanted the national government to have more power.

Expressed their views through a series of essays known as The Federalist Papers. • Authors were three well known politicians- James Madison,

Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay. • Called for ratification of the Constitution.

Appealed both to reason and emotion, described why people should support ratification.

Concerns of the Antifederalists Believed the Constitution took too much power

away from the states.

Did not guarantee rights for the people.

Feared the elected president might be declared king.

Feared Senate might become a powerful ruling class.

Antifederalists received support from rural areas.

The Battle for Ratification At least 9 of the 13 states had to

ratify (approve) the Constitution before it could go into effect.

1787 & 1788 – each state held a convention to decide whether or not to ratify the Constitution.

Dates States Ratified Constitution 1. Delaware, December 7, 1787 2. Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787 3. New Jersey, December 18, 1787 4. Georgia, January 2, 1788 5. Connecticut, January 9, 1788 6. Massachusetts, February 6, 1788 7. Maryland, April 28, 1788 8. South Carolina, May 23, 1788 9. New Hampshire, June 21, 1788

Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.

The Constitution was later ratified by Virginia (June 25, 1788); New York (July 26, 1788); North Carolina (November 21, 1789); Rhode Island (May 29, 1790); Vermont (January 10, 1791)

The Call for a Bill of Rights Thomas Jefferson wanted to add a bill of

rights- a formal summary of citizens’ rights and freedoms.

Antifederalists wanted written guarantees that the people would have:• Freedom of speech.• Freedom of the press.• Freedom of religion.• Right to a trial by jury.• Right to bear arms.

The Bill of Rights and the Constitution

James Madison, submitted ten amendments to the first Congress in 1789.

Congress proposed that the ten amendments be placed at the end of the Constitution in a separate section.

Became known as the Bill of Rights.

Ratified, December 15, 1791