Federalists vs Antifederalists Ratifying the Constitution The Constitution

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Federalists vs. Antifederalists Ratifying the Constitution

Federalists vs. Antifederalists Ratifying the Constitution

 • The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to

• The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to read • The framers knew it would cause controversy • Explained the constitution was based on federalism: • Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power)

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

RATIFICATION • C. ) 9 of the 13 states had to approve the Constitution for ratification • Led to many different opinions about what a government should & should not do

CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES Two political groups formed out of the debates: • Federalist: For ratifying

CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES Two political groups formed out of the debates: • Federalist: For ratifying the Constitution Anti-Federalists Alexander Hamilton John Jay James Madison Patrick Henry George Mason Richard Henry Lee • Anti-Federalist: Against ratifying the Constitution

Reasons for Ratification Debate Federalists VSAnti-Federalists • Wanted to remove many • Important political

Reasons for Ratification Debate Federalists VSAnti-Federalists • Wanted to remove many • Important political matters powers from states & give should remain with the to the national government states • Divide powers among • Legislative branch more separate branches of powerful than executive government branch • One person to lead the • Strong executive branch would lead to a king or tyrant • Had the support of most newspapers • Bill of Rights needed for protection

Constitutional Crisis • New Hampshire ratified on June 21, 1788 making the Constitution officially

Constitutional Crisis • New Hampshire ratified on June 21, 1788 making the Constitution officially the new government, but… • Big fight in both New York and Virginia, the 2 largest states (population), over ratification • Each convention has large groups of Anti-Federalist delegates

Federalist Papers § Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York newspapers

Federalist Papers § Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York newspapers supporting the Constitution § Written by Alexande r by Hamilton (51), James Madison (29), & John Jay (5) § Intended to gain support from ratification delegates to New York convention § Federalists argued that the Constitution was structured to protect the rights of the people Federalists Alexander Hamilton John Jay James Madison

Anti-Federalist Complaints • Published pamphlets to convince American’s that the Constitution destroyed basic liberties:

Anti-Federalist Complaints • Published pamphlets to convince American’s that the Constitution destroyed basic liberties: liberties • freedom of press, religious tolerance, right to a trial by jury • George Mason • Member of the Constitutional Convention, advocated strong local gov’t & weak central gov’t, did not sign the constitution • Patrick Henry • Did not attend the Constitutional Convention b/c “smelled a rat” & fought against ratification

Constitutional Compromise • James Madison proposed amendments (changes) to the Constitution • The first

Constitutional Compromise • James Madison proposed amendments (changes) to the Constitution • The first 10 amendments added to the end of the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights • Protect the people from the power of the federal gov’t

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

Federalists vs. Antifederalists Reading Like a Historian

Federalists vs. Antifederalists Reading Like a Historian

Key Points to Remember • Constitutional Convention created new Constitution in 1787 • One

Key Points to Remember • Constitutional Convention created new Constitution in 1787 • One of the biggest debates was over representation • Large Population states want it based on population • Smaller states wanted equal representation • The Great Compromise solved the problem • Bicameral Legislature • Senate (2 Senators from each state) • House of Representatives (1 rep. for every 30, 000 people) • Antifederalists did not think it was good enough • Wanted more representation; Did not think 1 person could represent 30, 000 people • Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states which lead to intense debates is many states • Federalists – supported Constitution • Antifederalists – opposed a strong central government/wanted a Bill

Two Viewpoints on Representation Alexander Hamilton Federalist Melancton Smith Antifederalist

Two Viewpoints on Representation Alexander Hamilton Federalist Melancton Smith Antifederalist

Alexander Hamilton - Federalist • From the British West Indies • 1774, moved to

Alexander Hamilton - Federalist • From the British West Indies • 1774, moved to New York City • Lieutenant Colonel during Revolutionary War and Washington’s private secretary and confidential aide • Member of Continental Congress • leader of movement to call for revisions of the Articles of Confederation. • Wrote the majority of the

Melancton Smith - Antifederalist • From New York • Delegate to NY Congress •

Melancton Smith - Antifederalist • From New York • Delegate to NY Congress • Served in Revolutionary War • Served in Continental Congress • Prominent merchant who was opposed to Slavery • One of the few important landowners and merchants among the Anti-Federalists

Two Viewpoints on Representation Alexander Hamilton Federalist Melancton Smith Antifederalist

Two Viewpoints on Representation Alexander Hamilton Federalist Melancton Smith Antifederalist

Class Discussion • What was Hamilton’s position on representation? What arguments does he make

Class Discussion • What was Hamilton’s position on representation? What arguments does he make to support his claim? • What was Smith’s position? What arguments does he make to support his claim? • Based on these arguments, what type of people would you guess tended to be Federalists? Antifederalists? • Do you see versions of these same issues being discussed today?

Federalists Antifederalists • Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay • Patrick Henry, George Mason,

Federalists Antifederalists • Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay • Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson • Property owners, landed rich, merchants in Northern states • Small farmers, shopkeepers, laborers • Believed in the decency of the • Believed in elitism. Saw themselves and those of their class common man and in participatory democracy (closer to direct as most fit to govern. democracy). • Powerful central government. • Viewed elites as corrupt. Sought greater protection of individual • 2 -house legislature, with one Rights house(Senate) being more removed from the people, whom • Wanted stronger state government they generally distrusted. at the expense of the federal government. Frequent elections, smaller districts, more direct democracy.

What Really Happened? • New York ratified the Constitution by a vote of 30

What Really Happened? • New York ratified the Constitution by a vote of 30 -27 • The Antifederalists lost the battle, but won the war. • The narrowest margin of any state convention that met in 1787 -1788 • Bill of Rights, First 10 amendments to the Constitution, were proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1791 • Addressed many of the concerns that Antifederalists raised in the

Quickwrite • Federalists/Antifederalists best represented ideas relating to the Declaration of Independence and the

Quickwrite • Federalists/Antifederalists best represented ideas relating to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution because . . .