Ratifying the Constitution

In this section you will learn about the ratification of the Constitution, and how Americans across the nation debated whether the Constitution would produce the best government.

The Constitution provides for a Federalist form of government in which power is shared between the central (or federal) government and states.

Those who supported the Constitution were called Federalists, and those who opposed to the Constitution were called Antifederalists.

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

The Federalist papers were published together in a book called The Federalist.

FOR UNDERSTANDING

The Constitution provides for a ______ form of government. 1) Totalitarian 2) Federalist 3) Direct Democratic 4) Monarchial

Those who supported the Constitution were called ______. 1) Tories 2) Whigs 3) Federalists 4) Loyalists

Those who opposed to the Constitution were called ______. 1) Antifederalists 2) Federalists 3) Loyalists 4) Patriots

When the Antifederalists published their views about the Constitution, James Madison and others countered with a series of essays called______. 1) Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania 2) the Articles of Confederation 3) the Virginia Plan 4) The Federalist papers

Federalists Antifederalists Supported removing some powers from the states and giving more powers to the national government. Favored dividing powers among different branches of government. Proposed a single person to lead the executive branch. Wanted important political powers to remain with the states. Wanted the legislative branch to have more power than the executive. Feared that a strong executive might become a king or tyrant. Believed a bill of rights needed to be added to the Constitution to protect people’s rights.

Patrick Henry and Virginia’s George Mason, both Antifederalists, refused to ratify the Constitution until a bill of rights was added.

George Mason

After Virginia ratified the Constitution, New York soon followed. A year later North Carolina and later Rhode Island also ratified the Constitution in 1790.

Ratification of the Constitution Date State Votes Yes No 1 December 7, 1787 Delaware December 12, 1787 Pennsylvania December 18, 1787 New Jersey January 2, 1788 Georgia January 9, 1788 Connecticut February 6, 1788 Massachusetts April 28, 1788 Maryland May 23, 1788 South Carolina June 21, 1788 New Hampshire June 25, 1788 Virginia July 26, 1788 New York November 21, 1789 North Carolina May 29, 1790 Rhode Island 34 3

Preamble to the Constitution We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

By 1791 three quarters of the states had ratified the first 10 amendments to the Constitution which came to be known as the Bill of Rights.

FOR UNDERSTANDING

Which of the following represented the Federalist viewpoint? 1) Favored dividing powers among different branches of government. 2) Wanted the legislative branch to have more power than the executive. 3) Feared that a strong executive might become a king or tyrant. 4) Wanted important political powers to remain with the states.

Which of the following represented the Antifederalists viewpoint? 1) Supported removing some powers from the states and giving more powers to the national government. 2) Proposed a single person to lead the executive branch. 3) Favored dividing powers among different branches of government. 4) Believed a bill of rights needed to be added to the Constitution to protect people’s rights.

Patrick Henry and ______, refused to ratify the Constitution until a bill of rights was added. 1) George Mason 2) Alexander Hamilton 3) John Jay 4) Edmund Randolph

After Virginia ratified the Constitution New York soon followed. A year later North Carolina and later Rhode Island also ratified the Constitution in ______. 1) ) ) ) 1776

By 1791 three quarters of the states had ratified the first 10 amendments to the Constitution which came to be known as the ______. 1) Preamble 2) Articles of Confederation 3) Federalist papers 4) Bill of Rights