Ratification of Ratification of the the

ConstitutionConstitutionFederalists vs. Anti-FederalistsFederalists vs. Anti-Federalists

• A.) TheA.) The Constitution was publicized in newspapers Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets & pamphlets for all American’s to readfor all American’s to read

• The framers knew it would cause controversyThe framers knew it would cause controversy• B.) Explained the constitution was based on B.) Explained the constitution was based on

federalismfederalism::• Federal & state governments have separate Federal & state governments have separate

powers (share power)powers (share power)

• C.) 9 of the 13 states 9 of the 13 states had to approve the approve the Constitution Constitution forfor ratificationratification

• Led to many different Led to many different opinions about what a opinions about what a government should & government should & should not doshould not do

Two political groups formed out of the debates:

• FederalistFederalist: : ForFor ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution

• Anti-FederalisAnti-Federalist: t: AgainstAgainst ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution

Alexander Alexander HamiltonHamilton

James MadisonJames Madison

John JayJohn Jay

Patrick HenryPatrick HenryGeorge MasonGeorge Mason

Richard Richard Henry LeeHenry Lee

FederalistsFederalists Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists

• Wanted to remove powers Wanted to remove powers from states & give to the from states & give to the national governmentnational government

• Important political matters political matters should remain with the statesshould remain with the states

• Divide powers among separate Divide powers among separate branches branches of government

• Legislative branch more Legislative branch more powerful than executivepowerful than executive branch

• One person to lead One person to lead the executive branch

• Strong executive branch would lead to a king or tyrant

• Had the support of most newspapers

• Bill of Rights needed Bill of Rights needed for protection

Informed Public Informed Public Federalist StanceFederalist Stance

• Federalist PapersFederalist Papers– Written by by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, &

John JayJohn Jay– Published anonymously under pen name “Publius”– Series of 85 essays Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York

newspapers supporting the Constitutionsupporting the Constitution

• Use of political cartoons to follow the ratification– “The Federal Pillars” published in the Massachusetts

Centinel

• Published pamphlets to convince American’s Published pamphlets to convince American’s that the

Constitution destroyed basic libertiesConstitution destroyed basic liberties: freedom of press, religious tolerance, right to a trial by jury

• George Mason George Mason --concept of inalienable rights influenced Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence

- Member of the Constitutional ConventionMember of the Constitutional Convention, advocated strong local gov’t & weak central gov’t, did not sign the constitutiondid not sign the constitution

• Patrick Henry Patrick Henry --did not attend the Constitutional Convention b/c “smelled a rat” & fought against ratificationfought against ratification

• A.) James Madison proposed A.) James Madison proposed amendments (changes) amendments (changes) to the Constitutionto the Constitution

• 1.) The firstfirst 10 amendments 10 amendments aadded to the end of the Constitution are called the Bill of Rightsthe Bill of Rights

• a.) a.) Protect Protect the people from people from the power of the the federal gov’tfederal gov’t

6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 89-79

6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 89-79

9/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval

9/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval

9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval

9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval

17871787 17881788

17891789 17901790 17911791

12/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-012/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies

Constitution with a vote of 30-0

12/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of 46-23

12/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of 46-23

2/6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of 187-1682/6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies

Constitution with a vote of 187-168

4/26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of 63-11

4/26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of 63-11

5/23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of 149-735/23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of 149-73

7/26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-27

7/26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-27

5/29/1790 – Rhode Island, only state not to send delegates to Convention, ratifies

Constitution with a vote of 34-32

November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place

November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place

4/14/1789 – President George Washington takes oath of office 9/25/1789 – James Madison proposed 12

amendments to the Constitution

12/15/1791 – 10 of the 12 amendments are ratified & become the Bill of Rights

11/21/1789 – North Carolina ratifies Constitution, after several failed attempts to

hold a convention, with a vote of 194-77

12/18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of 38-0

12/18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of 38-0

12/31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 26-012/31/1787 – Georgia ratifies

Constitution with a vote of 26-0

1/9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of 128-40

1/9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of 128-40

7/2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution7/2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution

6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47

6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47

March 1789 – First Congress convenes in New York