Ratification of the ConstitutionSection 7-4

Federalists & Antifederalist

When the Constitution was made public, a great debate began among Americans.

Antifederalists were people who opposed the Constitution.

Federalist & Antifederalists

Antifederalists thought :

1. The Constitution gave too much power to the central government

2. Many were upset that the Constitution did not include a Bill of Rights

Federalists & Antifederalists

3. Many antifederalist were small farmers and debtors, but some were wealthy.

Federalists & Antifederalists

B. Federalists - Supporters of the Constitution

The Federalists

1. Believed that the Constitution offereda good balance of power.

The Federalists

• Federalists thought the Constitution was a careful compromise between various political views.

II. The Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays that defended the Constitution.

The Federalist Papers

The three main authors of the Federalist Papers were:

• Alexander Hamilton• James Madison• John Jay

The Federalist Papers

• The Federalist Papers reassured Americans that the new federal government would not overpower the states.

The Federalist Papers

Some issues discussed were:

a. That the many different views in the US would prevent any single group from controlling the government.

The Federalist Papers

B. Hamilton stated the need to fix the country’s many problems under the Articles of Confederation.

“Let’s make a firm stand for our safety, our peace, our dignity and reputation.”

The Ratification Fight

A. Constitution needed approval of 9 states to pass it

The Ratification Fight

1. States held special conventions

for citizens to discuss the Constitution

The Ratification Fight

B. Antifederalists feared government will be ruled by the powerful and wealthy

1. Delaware first state to ratify Constitution

The Ratification Fight

The Ratification Fight

By 1788, 8 other states approved:

Pa, NJ, Georgia, Connecticut,

Massachusetts, Maryland, SC, NH

NH the 9th state to approve Constitution

3. Constitution went into affect after New Hampshire approves it

The Ratification Fight

Constitution still needs approval of:

i. Virginia – has the largest

population

ii. New York – important center of

business and trade

The Ratification Fight

The Ratification Fight

5. Rhode Island the LAST state to ratify the Constitution

Demanding a Bill of Rights

A. Some states ratify Constitution only after Bill of Rights is added

Demanding a Bill of Rights

1. Antifederalists fear Constitution will NOT protect personal rights

Demanding a Bill of Rights

2. Federalists say NO Bill of Rights

- state constitutions protect rights

Demanding a Bill of Rights

3. Leaders realize Bill of Rights is key to ratification

Demanding a Bill of Rights

B. Amendments – official changes, corrections or additions to constitution

Demanding a Bill of Rights

1. Article V – Founders provide way to change Constitution

i. Amendments necessary to reflect the will of people

- process of adding will NOT be easy

Demanding a Bill of Rights

Demanding a Bill of Rights

ii. To create list of amendments, writers consult

-Declaration of Independence -individual states

Demanding a Bill of Rights

iii. Bill of Rights – first 10 amendments to the US constitution

a. example of how to amend Constitution to meet needs of nation