Ratifying the Constitution States Constitutional Conventions would vote

Ratifying the Constitution • States Constitutional Conventions would vote on ratification for each state. Ratification or ratify means to accept. • Voters within each state would vote for representatives to send to convention • State Legislatures not given this right, because many thought they would try to keep the power for themselves. • Constitution stated that only nine states needed to ratify the Constitution APPROVE D

ANTI-FEDERALISTS VS. FEDERALISTS Not everyone at these state conventions approved of the new Constitution… People opposed to the Constitution became known as ANTI-FEDERALISTS Some of the most well known Anti. Federalists included… n Patrick Henry n George Mason “Without a Bill of Rights, this new plan of government provides nothing to protect people’s liberties” – Patrick Henry “The Constitution will make the President too powerful, like a king” – George Mason

ANTI-FEDERALISTS VS. FEDERALISTS Supporters of the Constitution became known as FEDERALISTS Some of the most well known Federalists included… n n n Alexander Hamilton- future Sec. of Treasury. Shaped our countries economy James Madison- future President John Jay- future Supreme Court Justice James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay

Federalist Papers To defend the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay wrote a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers n These essays answered each argument presented by Antifederalists. n Over 85 essays were written, most by Hamilton n Still to this day, these essays are considered to be the best explanation and defense of the Constitution

Anti-Federalist Arguments So why didn’t the Anti-Federalist like the Constitution? Anti-Federalists expressed many concerns about the Constitution, some are listed below. (Notice that these concerns relate to the troubles Americans experienced under British rule) n Standing Armies in peacetime were dangerous n No Bill of Rights to protect the liberties of individual citizens n President would be too powerful, could become a king. n Federal government will totally control states, state government will collapse n A large federal government is costly

Federalist Arguments In the Federalist Papers, the Federalist answered the concerns expressed by the Anti. Federalist. Some are listed below. n Standing army was necessary to our defense and would be controlled by civilian President, funding and size of army determined by Congress n No Bill of Rights needed, most states have a bill of rights. Why list the rights of people when you could not list them all? n Presidents power is checked and balanced by other two branches n A strong Federal government is needed to defend our country, unite states, trade, and produce strong economy n Our new government will be more efficient, reducing some expenses, and additional expenses are necessary to protect the Union and its citizens

Debate, Compromise, and Ratification n n n After much debate throughout the states, ratification began Some states refused unless a Bill of Rights would be added Federalists give in and agree to a Bill of Rights June 1788, New Hampshire becomes ninth state to ratify (constitution is now official) Rhode Island becomes last state to ratify in 1790 (trade restrictions were put in place against Rhode Island until they agreed to ratify the Constitution. James Madison writes ten amendments to the Constitution, added in 1791 as the Bill of rights. Amendments are additions or changes to the Constitution

VOCABULARY n Federalism: n Federalist: n Anti-Federalist: A central government that shares power with the states A supporter of the Constitution A opponent of the Constitution

Federalist Anti- Federalist 1) Wanted the Constitution to be passed 1) Did not want the Constitution passed 2) Wanted powers taken from states and given to National Government 2) Wanted the states to keep most powers

Federalist 3) Wanted to divide powers into three branches 4) Did not want to list rights because you could not list them all Anti- Federalist 3) Wanted the legislative branch to have the most power, didn’t want a President 4) Wanted a Bill of Rights to list peoples individual rights