1. Ratifying the Constitution
Chapter 11 Section 2
North Carolina in the American Experience
by McDougal Littell

2. Section Objectives
Analyze the debate between the Federalists and the Antifederalists and its resolution.
Describe the election of George Washington to the presidency.
Summarize the rights protected under the Bill of Rights.
Examine the system of government created by the Constitution.

3. The Debate Continues
Who were prominent Federalists and what did they want
James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton
Wanted a new Constitution and believe the new govt. would provide a better balance between the national and state govt..
James Madison = Father of the Constitution
Antifederalist
Opposed the new Constitution fearing it would give the national government too much power.
Wanted a bill of right to ensure individual freedoms
Which states voted yes right away?
PA, DE, CT, NJ, GA
Which states were undecided?
VA, NY, RI, and NC
What did NC finally decide?
James Iredell =Federalist
Willie Jones = Antifederalist
Aug 4 decided against ratifying the Constitution feared it would create to powerful of a central government.
Summarize

4. The Constitution is Approved
How many states ratified the Constitution initially?
Nine states were required in order for the Constitution to go into effect.
Delaware is the first to sign
NC & RI decided to remain independent.
If at first you don’t succeed ….
NC met in Fayetteville to reconsider.
Nov 21, 1789 – NC ratified Constitution based on the consideration of a Bill of Rights.
Did RI finally give in?
May RI is the last to ratify the new Constitution
Explain the meaning of the Preamble to the Constitution in your own words.

5. Order of Ratification State Ratified the Constitution For Against 1
Delaware
Dec. 7, 1787 2
Pennsylvania
Dec 43 23 3
New Jersey
Dec. 18, 1787 4
Georgia
Jan. 2, 1788 5
Connecticut
Jan. 9, 1788
128 40 6
Massachusetts
Feb. 6, 1788
187
168 7
Maryland
Apr. 28, 1788 63 11 8
South Carolina
May 23, 1788
149 73 9
New Hampshire
Jun. 21, 1788 57 46 10
Virginia
Jun. 26, 1788 89 79
New York
Jul. 26, 1788 30 27 12
North Carolina
Nov. 21, 1789
194 77 13
Rhode Island
May 29, 1790 34 22

6. The first president takes office
How was GW elected as the 1st prez?
George Washington was elected by electors voted for by the states.
GW took the oath in NY (the nation’s capital)
on April 30, 1789.
If NC and RI have not yet ratified the Constitution, how can they vote for the president?

7. The Bill of Rights is Added
What is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights were added in 1791 and consists of the first 10 Amendments
What freedoms did the BoR guarantee?
that protect the rights of citizens to include: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to a trial by jury.
What else does the BoR do?
The BoR give all power to the states (people) not given to the federal government or denied to the states to by the Constitution.
In your own words, explain why was the Bill of Rights so important?

8. The new government begins its work
Explain and identify the 7 parts of the federal system.
The seven parts of the federal are the 7 Articles of the Constitution which explain how the govt. should be setup and how to divide the powers.
Article 1
Congress
Explains how the members of Congress are chosen and lists the rules and powers.
Article 2
Executive
Includes president and vice president ensures laws are followed
States the duties an powers of president and how the prz is elected
Article 3
Judicial
Decides if a law is constitutional
Begins it term on the 1st Monday in October
Appointed for life
James Iredell
(NC Federalist) appointed to the First Supreme Court by George Washington.
Gave a dissenting statement which resulted in the 11th Amendment. States cannot sue another state in national court.
Name some problems faced by the new govt..
threats of war, huge debts, new laws due to westward expansion.
Foldable
Fold a paper into thirds, write the 3 branches at the top and their duties below the title.

9. Vocabulary ratification – official approval
Federalist – People who supported the ratification of the new
Constitution
3. Antifederalist – People who opposed the new Constitution
4. domestic – relating to one’s own country
5. amendment – changes to the Constitution
6. Bill of Right – first 10 Amendments to the Constitution
7. federal system – power is divided between national and state
government.
8. checks and balances- the balancing of power and the checking of
one branch by another.
dissenting – to differ in opinion
Federalist Papers – series of essays written by John Jay, James
Madison, Alexander Hamilton

10. The Three Branches of Government

11. Explain the process of checks and balances
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch:
May pardon people convicted of federal offences.
Appoints federal judges
May veto laws passed by Congress
May call special session of Congress
Judicial Branch
May declare president’s actions unconstitutional
May declare laws unconstitutional
Legislative Branch
May override president’s veto
May refuse to approve treaty written by president
May refuse to approve president’s appointments
May remove a president from office if he or she is found guilty of wrongdoing.
May overrule decisions of the courts by proposing constitutional amendments.
May remove federal judge if he or she is found guilty of wrong doing.