1. Bellwork What is the Bill of Rights? Does the Constitution, at the time it was passed at the convention, include the Bill of Rights? Could this be a problem?

2. American History Section 7, Unit 3 Ratification

3. Objectives Compare the federalists and anti-federalists – Beliefs – Supporting or objecting arguments Identify struggles that were faced during ratification

4. Quick Review In the last lesson, we discussed the Constitutional Convention, the compromises that they made, and how they signed the constitution. Now, we are going to see how the Constitution was ratified (accepted) by the states.

5. Ratification Requirements To achieve ratification, the Constitution required the approval of 9 of the 13 states. Most convention delegates, however, hoped for a unanimous approval as a show of national unity. To spur interest, newspapers printed full copies of the Constitution.

6. Ratification Requirements Americans were shocked at what they saw. Rather than a revision of the Articles, they saw an entirely new framework for government. Citizens would soon become divided over the issue of ratification.

7. Federalists One group, called the Federalists, supported ratification. Wealthy merchants, planters, and lawyers tended to be Federalists. They advocated a strong national government that would assure a sound currency and protect property rights.

8. Federalists Unlike the wealthier citizens, average citizens supported the Constitution because they believed a strong government would provide stability and security against political unrest, like Shays’ Rebellion.

9. Anti-Federalists The other group, called Anti-Federalists, feared a powerful national government. They worried that states would not be happy about surrendering their power to the Federal government.

10. Objections The Anti-federalists had four main objections to the Constitution: 1.The delegates of the constitutional convention met in secret, and, in doing so, went beyond what they were allowed to do. 2.A strong national government will destroy state rights. 3.The new system of government resembled a monarchy because of it’s concentration of power and thus violated the principle of liberty that had guided the revolution 4.There was no Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

11. Objections (cont.) The Anti-federalists argued that the national government was undemocratic. Under the Constitution: – Voters did not vote for the president or vice president– the state legislatures would instead vote for electors to pick the president. – Voters could not vote for the Senate, only the House of Representatives. The senate was chosen by the State Legislatures. – The Senate had the power to take away the power of the people to vote for the House. Question: Do you agree with the Anti-Federalists points? Why or why not?

12. The Federalist Papers To answer their critics, the Federalists- primarily James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay- wrote 85 essays referred to as the Federalist Papers. Between 1787 and 1788, 77 essays appeared in newspapers and were later published in a book, The Federalist.

13. The Federalist Papers The writers intended for the essays to sway public opinion in New York, but they also influenced opinions in the other states. Today, the Federalist Papers are often used to help understand the purpose and ideals behind the Constitution.

14. Questions What is the Bill of Rights? Why do you think the Anti-Federalists want a Bill of Rights so badly?

15. Bill of Rights Issue Anti-Federalists heavily argued that a Bill of Rights should be in the Constitution and many refused to sign the Constitution unless there was one. – They argued that without a Bill of Rights, it could be easy for the federal government to take away individual rights.

16. Bill of Rights Issue Federalists claimed that state constitutions did have a Bill of Rights that protected their citizens and that it was unnecessary for the Constitution.

17. Ratification By 1788, enough states agreed to support the Constitution to make it effective. However, both Virginia and New York (among others) refused to sign it without a Bill of Rights attached to it.

18. Virginia and New York Although the Constitution could take effect, the union agreed that without these two large states signing, it would have little chance of succeeding. In both Virginia and New York, they bitterly debated over ratifying the constitution.

19. Virginia and New York (cont.) In Virginia, Patrick Henry argued against the Constitution, while James Madison and George Washington strongly urged the convention to support it. In New York, Federalists in New York City threatened to withdraw the city from the state if the delegates did not ratify the Constitution. In the end, Federalists won in both states, but only by very narrow margins.

20. Rhode Island Rhode Island was the last state to ratify. Initially, the state legislature refused to even consider the Constitution. However, after being threatened by an economic boycott in Congress, Rhode Island agreed to call a Convention. – The vote for ratification was so close that the governor had to vote to break the tie.

21. The Constitution is Ratified The struggle for ratification was long, and the final vote was close, but with ratification most Americans embraced the Constitution. They had endured the Revolution and the turmoil of the Confederation years. Now, with a new constitution, they hoped to launch themselves into a successful future.

22. Immediate Effects In 1788, the Constitution was put into place by the Continental Congress and various state legislatures. They also began to form the 1 st United States Congress in 1789 and began to put many of the plans of the Constitution into place.

23. Review Objectives Compare the federalists and anti-federalists – Beliefs – Supporting or objecting arguments Identify struggles that were faced during ratification

24. Questions If you have any questions, please ask now.

25. Next Lesson In the next lesson, we are going to discuss the first Congress and the beginnings of the new United States.

26. Review 1.Write at least two paragraphs describing why: – The Federalists supported the Constitution – The Anti-Federalists rebuked the Constitution 2.When you are done, answer the following with at least one paragraph answer: – Do you think the anti-federalists had fair arguments? Why or not?

27. Review Activity Federalist Viewpoints– Why did they support the Constitution (4)? Strong national government would ensure currency A central government can protect it’s citizens against foreign and domestic dangers. Improve upon the Articles Protect property rights Anti-Federalist Viewpoints– why did they not support the Constitution (5)? It was undemocratic It was written in secret States’ rights would be destroyed. The new system would be monarchial, because so much power is concentrated in one group No Bill of Rights.