Ratifying the Constitution Do Now: What is more important: power in numbers or individualism?

What was needed for Ratification? According to The Constitution, Nine states needed to ratify the document in Ratification Conventions to take effect. States that did not ratify would be treated as foreign governments Delaware was 1 st state to ratify (30-0) Other states were much closer, New York and Virginia were locked in debate and Rhode Island finally joined in by a close vote (34-32)

Debating the U.S. Constitution for Ratification Two sides quickly formed for and against the ratification of the constitution. Some states were more divided than others. The debate is centered around a few key issues and two camps developed, the Federalist (pro- ratification) or Anti-Federalist (anti-ratification) camps. Ultimately, the main issue was one of balance between strong national unification and localized state freedoms.

Ratification Debate Simulation In groups of 3-4 read the two handouts (Federalist and Anti-Federalist). Using the quotes, outline what you believe to be each sides position on a strong central government and how it would effect their views on the constitution FEDERALIST - VS - ANTIFEDERALIST

FEDERALISTS ANTI-FEDERALISTS Favored the ratification of the Constitution. Led by many of those who attended the Philadelphia Convention Most active: James Madison and Alexander Hamilton Stressed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation. Opposed the ratification of the Constitution Notables: Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson Did not want to increase power for the central government Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

Political Information Nightly News-News Catalogue Websites-ENews-Social media, and Water Cooler. In the late 18 th century word of mouth and newspapers were the primary means of information transmission. There were 94 registered papers in New York City alone from Where do we get our political information today?

Where did they get their political information then? A collection of 85 essays supporting the Constitution. Printed in New York (where federalists feared the constitution would not be ratified) in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet. All papers were published under the pseudonym “Philo-Publius.” Alexander Hamilton-51 Papers James Madison-26 Papers John Jay-5 Papers Hamilton/Madison-3 Papers Federalist Papers

Federalist Paper 10 Written by James Madison "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" "the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society" "liberty is to faction what air is to fire" (Madison believed that a large republic caused such a varied opinion amongst it’s constituents that it would make factions less likely to form and gain power.)

Federalist Paper 39 “The first question that offers itself is whether the general form and aspect of the government be strictly republican. It is evident that no other form would be reconcilable with the genius of the people of America; with the fundamental principals of Revolution; or with that honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self- government.” “If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure for a limited period, or during good behavior.”

Federalist Paper 39 Written by James Madison James Madison demonstrates that the government established by the proposed Constitution was in every respect republican in nature. Republic: An entity (Reps.) of the people (Publicus). (Madison says that to be a republic the following must be true: )  Power to govern is derived from the people’s consent  Elected representatives are the government administrators  Terms of representatives must be limited

Federalist Paper 51 “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: 1. you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.” "double security arises to the rights of the people. The governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself“.

Federalist Paper 51 Written by James Madison This paper is a critical look at the structure of government that the constitution creates Each branch should be independent from one another but have equal power (separation of powers) Federalism (balance between state and central power) also acts as a separation of power

2.3 Assignment Taking the position of either a Federalist or Anti- Federalist, answer the following question in a single cohesive writing. Make sure to include as much supporting evidence as possible. Which type of government can best fulfill it’s obligations to it’s citizens: a large, strong, unified government or a small localized and individualized government? Explain how.