Ratifying the Constitution Angela Brown Chapter 5 Section 2 Page 139

Ratification For the Constitution to become law 9 of the 13 states had to ratify, or approve, it. Ratification votes would be cast by special conventions in each state not by state legislatures.

The Federalist Those who favored the Constitution were Federalist. They wanted a strong national government. Many Nationalist were Federalists: George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

The Federalist Papers Several supporters wrote a series of 85 essays called The Federalist. They appeared in New York City newspapers between October 1787 and August Authors were Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay.

Impact They were written to win approval of the Constitution but today are recognized as the most sophisticated explanation of the new American Political system ever written.

Alexander Hamilton An advisor to General George Washington An army captain that helped turn back General Cornwallis at Yorktown. A prominent attorney A political theorist who wrote most of The Federalist essays One of the founders of the Republic Died in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804

The Antifederalist Saw the Constitution as a betrayal of the American Revolution Federalist feared the people more than the government. The Antifederalist feared the government more than the people. Lead by Patrick Henry of Virginia and older revolutionary figures.

Federalist Advantage Constitution was submitted to the states for approval on September 28, Federalist drew on widespread feeling that the Articles were flawed. Economic problems and Shay’s Rebellion convinced many. The Antifederalist had no constructive plan of their own… only opposition to the Constitution

Federalist were a well-organized national group – the Antifederalist were often local or state politicians not coordinated nationally. The Federalist had George Washington. National Hero and sure to be the first President of the U.S.

Who Would Vote Yes? Delaware, New Jersey, and Connecticut ratified quickly needing federal structure due to small size. Georgia ratified next – needing federal support in case of a war with Native Americans. Pennsylvania was run by Federalist. All there ratified in Dec.1787 and Jan. 1788

The Ninth State? Massachusetts narrowly voted to ratify. Maryland and South Carolina soon ratified. New Hampshire held off a vote until they were sure they had a majority. NH was the ninth and final state needed when they ratified in June of 1788.

Ratification at Last Everyone new the new nation would not succeed without the highly populated states of Virginia and New York. Debates throughout the summer of 1788 brought both states to ratification. North Carolina reversed its rejection to the Constitution in November Rhode Island did the same in May 1790 to be the last of the original thirteen to approve.

The Bill of Rights What turned the tide in the adoption of the Constitution was the Federalist offer to support several amendments to the Constitution. In September 1789, Congress proposed 12 constitutional amendments to protect the citizen’s rights. On December 15, 1791, ten were ratified and became known as the Bill of Rights.

Against the Bill of Rights Federalist saw no need for these amendments. Under the Constitution, the people and the government were the same. Why would the people need to protect their rights from themselves?

For the Bill of Rights Thomas Jefferson favored the Constitution but insisted it include a Bill of Rights. He wanted more specific language to guarantee the rights of the Declaration of Independence but finally agreed to the Bill of Rights as written.