Debating the Constitution Federalists Versus Anti-Federalists The Ratification Debate The Bill of Rights

Ratification Ratify-To approve Each state needed to hold conventions to ratify or deny The Constitution. Nine states needed to ratify The Constitution before it could become law or official.

Federalists Versus Anti-Federalists Federalists- Supported The Constitution. They favored a strong federal government. The government needed the power to tax, enforce laws, and regulate trade. A President would be needed. Alexander Hamilton , John Jay, and James Madison published the Federalist Papers.

The Federalists Alexander Hamilton John Jay James Madison

Anti-Federalists Believed that The Constitution gave the federal government too much power. They feared that the state governments would be weakened by the Constitution. Many felt that a Bill of Rights needed to be added. Presidents could become too powerful and be like a king.

Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry, a leading Anti-Federalist. George Mason, known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights”

The Ratification Debate Delaware becomes the first State to ratify. December 7, 1787. Pennsylvania, New Jersey,Georgia, and Connecticut. Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, While Virginia debated New Hampshire ratified making the Constitution official.

Rhode Island Rhode Island became the last state to ratify the Constitution in May of 1790. They waited until a Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.

A New Government April 30, 1789, George Washington is inauguration. Congress convenes and begins working on a Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights The framers provided a process to make changes to the constitution. The changes are known as amendments. The first ten amendments to The Constitution are our essential freedoms. They are known as the Bill of Rights or referred to as our amendment rights. The amendments were ratified by three fourths of the states in Dec.1791

Bill of Rights A written list of freedoms that a government promises to protect. What are some of your Amendment rights? Where did they originate?

The Bill of Rights The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech, religion , petition, assembly, and the press.

Second Amendment The right to bear arms.

Third Amendment Protection from quartering troops in times of peace.

Fourth Amendment Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

Amendments Five through Eight Protects citizens accused of crimes.

Amendments Nine and Ten Limits the powers of the federal government to only those written in The Constitution.