Chapter 3 Section 3

Do NowWhat is the purpose of government?Consider why governments are put in place and what society would be like without a government.

IntroductionAs the Convention

ended in Philadelphia, delegates rushed home to begin the campaign for ratification.

Each state elected a convention to vote on the constitution.Nine states had vote for

document to ratify it.Americans debated in

state legislatures, in mass meetings, newspapers, and in everyday conversations.

Federalists vs. Anti-federalistFederalists – supported Constitutional

ratificationName emphasized that the constitution would

create a federal systemBelieved power should be divide among central

and state governments.They hoped smaller states would understand that

each state would keep some powerIncluded large landowners, merchants, and

artisans The wanted government protection and taxes on imports

Farmers along the coast supported the Constitution which would regulate trade and protect prices.

Anti-FederalistsMisleading name – not against federalismAccepted the need for a national gov.Real issued was if central or state governments

would have more power.Prominent Anti-Federalists included John

Hancock, Patrick Henry, of Virginia, and George Clinton, gov. of New York, (Edmund Randolph and George Mason believed constitution should include a bill of rights)Sam Adams believe it impinged on the rights of the

statesMany were western farmers living far from coast,

self sufficient, and believed it may foreclose their farms

The Federalist (Essays)Several factors worked against the Anti-federalists

They complained but did not offer a solution Federalists were also better organized

Federalists offered ideas in pamphlets, speeches and debates in state conventions.

The Federalist – 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay (under the pen name Publius) Published New York Newspapers before publishing them as

the Federalist book Explained how the new US Constitution worked and why it

was needed Even today judges, lawyers, legislators, and historians read the

Federalist to help them interpret the Constitution

Battle for RatificationFederalist knew they had clear majorities in

some states, but that larger states like New York would be more difficult to convince.

Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Conneticut quickly ratified the Constitution.

The Debate in MassachussettsOpponents of the Constitution held a clear

majority at first (including John Hancock and Samuel Adams- both had signed Dec. of Ind.)

Sam Adams said constitution must never infringe on liberty of press, right to own arms, support search and seizure without a warrantAs a result federalists agreed to attach a bill of rights to

the Constitution once it was ratifiedAgreed to add amendment that would support state

rights This persuaded Adams to support the Constitution Hancock and supporters joined in because they said they

would nominate him for presidentFinal vote – 187 for and 168 against

The Debate in VirginiaBy the end of June 1788 Maryland, South

Carolina and New Hampshire had ratified the Constitution.

Federalists had reached the nine states needed to ratify the constitution. New York and Virginia had not yet ratified

Without the support of these two states many felt the Constitution would fail.

George Mason and Patrick Henry argued strongly against ratification

George Washington and James Madison presented the arguments for ratification to Virginia – the Governor agreed

Virginia did narrowly supported the New Constitution

New York Votes to Ratify2/3 of the elected legislature were Anti-

Federalists, including governor ClintonFederalist led by Hamilton and John Jay tried to

assure others that the Constitution would not infringe on state rights

Hamilton explained it had been specifically designed to limit tyranny.

Federalists managed to delay the vote until New Hampshire and Virginia ratified the Constitution and the new federal gov. was now in effectCity of New York warned state government that it would

secede from NY and join the United States independently if Constitution was not ratified

NY Votes to Ratify Cont…Some states did not initially ratify the

ConstitutionWe will discuss the reasons during class.

First Presidential ElectionGeorge Washington was elected unopposed

Swilling the voters?Federalist candidates for VP

John Adams, former Minister to Great Britain from Massachusetts

John Jay, U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affairs from New York

John Rutledge, former Governor of South Carolina John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts Samuel Hutington, Governor of Connecticut Benjamin Lincoln, former U.S. Secretary of War from

Massachusetts

Washington’s Cabinet As the first president of the

United States, George Washington established the precedent of appointing a cabinet.

Neither required by law nor the Constitution, the cabinet consisted of political advisors to the president.

Washington wisely selected John Adams (VP) Thomas Jefferson (Sec. of

State) Hamilson (Sec. of Treasury) Edmund Randolph

(Attorney General) Successive presidents have

continued the tradition of selecting a cabinet, though scholars debate its usefulness.

What cabinet position is missing?