Chapter 8: Section 3 Ratifying the Constitution

A Newly Formed Government: The newly formed American government was based upon a system called federalism. Federalism = system of government where the powers are shared between the federal government and the states.

The Constitution was published throughout the states and citizens began to take sides when it came to what they liked and disliked.

The Federalist and Antifederalists Federalists = people that supported the Constitution. Antifederalists = people that thought the Constitution took too much power away from the states and did not guarantee rights for the people. Antifederalists

The Battle For Ratification: Most states had voted to ratify the Constitution except Virginia. Patriots like Patrick Henry and George Mason both refused to ratify the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added, which protected people’s rights.

James Madison recommended the addition of the Bill of Rights. With the addition, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island all ratified the Constitution. The new Congress submitted a Bill of Rights to the states for approval.

The Bill of Rights: James Madison had constructed the proposed changes to the Constitution. As with the Constitution, 3/4 of the states had to approve the changes for them to take effect.

These ten new amendments to the Constitution were called the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was one of the first acts and accomplishments of the new government.

Remember!! James Madison was the father of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was the creator of the Declaration of Independence.

List the 7 principles of the Constitution

1) Popular Sovereignty Who gives the government its power? Popular Sovereignty = A gov. in which the people rule. – “We the people of the United States of America…”

2) Republicanism How are people’s views represented in gov.? Republicanism: the people exercise their power by voting for the political representatives. A Republican form of gov.: people rule through their chosen representatives

3) Federalism Federalism: States and national gov. share powers. National Gov.: Delegated Powers. States: Reserved Powers. Nat. Gov. and States: Concurrent Powers

4) Separation of Powers 3 Branches: – Legislative: Congress makes the law – Executive: President enforces the law. – Judicial: Supreme Court interprets the laws.

5) Checks and Balances Each branch of gov. can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches. Each branch is separate, all rely on one another.

6) Limited Government Everyone, citizens and powerful leaders alike, must obey the law. Individuals or groups cannot twist or bypass the law to serve their own interests.

7) Individual Rights: How are Personal Freedoms Protected? First 10 Amendments shield people from an overly powerful gov. The Bill of Rights – Protects our individual rights.