Arguments for and Against the Constitution RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

 The Constitution of the United states was approved by the delegates of the convention and sent to the Confederation Congress  Only 41 of the 55 delegates were still there to sign it.  3 delegates refused to sign the document due to flaws they felt still needed to be addressed  George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph SEPTEMBER 17, 1787

CONSTITUTION FOR THE PEOPLE The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to read The framers knew it would cause controversy Explained the constitution was based on: Federalism: Federalism: Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power) Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power)

 Article VII - Ratification nine The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. APPROVING THE CONSTITUTION

 Ratification – the act of giving formal approval or consent to  When we talk about ratification it implies that the issue requires a vote for approval WORDS WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND

/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval 9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval 12/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of /12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of /6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of /18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of /31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 26-0

 New Hampshire ratified on June 21, 1788 making the Constitution officially the new government, but…  Big fight in both New York and Virginia, the 2 largest states (population), over ratification  Each convention has large groups of Anti- Federalist delegates CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

ANTI CONSTITUTION - ANTIFEDERALIST no bill of rights  Antifederalists opposed ratification because there was no bill of rights  Patrick Henry  Patrick Henry had refused to attend the Constitutional Convention  Leading patriot from Revolution  Led the fight against ratification in Virginia Patrick Henry “I smell a rat”

ANTI CONSTITUTION  George Mason  George Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights (Virginia’s version of the bill of rights) in 1776  Attended the Constitutional Convention but refused to sign the final document  Because no list of the rights of people was included George Mason

PRO CONSTITUTION - FEDERALISTS Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS  Published starting in October 1787  85 total essays published anonymously under the name PUBLIUS in New York  Intended to gain support from ratification delegates to New York convention  Federalists argued that the Constitution was structured to protect the rights of the people

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS  Book form published in 1788  Scholars believe that Hamilton wrote 52, Madison wrote 28, and Jay 5 of the essays  Still used today to explain what the writers of the Constitution meant Ad for purchasing of copies of the Federalist Papers

/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of /6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of /26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of /23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of /31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of /17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval 9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval /7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of /18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of /9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of /21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47

 Federalists agree to amend Constitution and include a Bill of Rights in order to gain Antifederalist support  1791 – first ten amendments to the constitution were created as the “Bill of Rights” CONFLICT COMES TO AN END WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS

6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of /17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval 9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval /7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of /12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of /6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of /26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of /23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of /26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of /29/1790 – Rhode Island, only state not to send delegates to Convention, ratifies Constitution with a vote of November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place 4/14/1789 – President George Washington takes oath of office 9/25/1789 – James Madison proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution 12/15/1791 – 10 of the 12 amendments are ratified & become the Bill of Rights 11/21/1789 – North Carolina ratifies Constitution, after several failed attempts to hold a convention, with a vote of /18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of /31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of /9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of /2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution 6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of March 1789 – First Congress convenes in New York

U.S. CONSTITUTION – THE AMENDMENT PROCESS Notes: Congress selects the mode of ratification. Equal representation in the Senate is not subject to amendment. YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS!!!!