1. Ratifying Our Constitution…
To RATIFY means to approve of

2. Articles of Confederation
1st form of American Government
Created a weak national government
Gave most power to the states
Adopted in 1777, March 1781 accepted by all of the states
Congress was the most powerful branch, but during this time it represented the state governments not the people
Ultimately failed because made the Federal government too weak

3. In 1787 a Constitutional Convention was called…..
Met in Philadelphia
Original goal was to amend the AOC
Ultimately created a new Constitution
Before ratification could take place had to settle disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists

4. Federalists Those who favored the Constitution
Favored a strong central government

5. Anti-Federalists
Opposed the Constitution because did not feel it protected the rights of Americans
Favored states rights and wanted a weak central government
Opposed a single executive (President)

6. Federalist Papers
A series of 70 essays published by James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton that gave reasons for supporting the Constitution
After reading these essays many doubters began to see the benefits of the Constitution

7. Why did the Anti-Federalists finally agree to approve the Constitution?
The Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution to protect as many individual rights and freedoms and they could include
Today, are the 1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution
On June 21, 1788 NH became the 9th state to ratify the Constitution making it the Supreme Law of the land

8. Another problem to solve….Representation in Congress
The founders had to decide how to represent the American people in Congress.
They created two plans, the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan

9. New Jersey Plan Plan to represent the small states
Wanted a 3 Branch government
Wanted a Unicameral Legislature, and each state would have 1 vote
Executive Branch would be led by 1 person
Judicial Branch would have a Supreme Court

10. Virginia Plan Three Branches of government
A council would be formed from the Executive and Judicial Branches with veto power
Bicameral Legislature, decided on the basis of state population. The more people who lived in a state the more power that state would have bc they would have more votes

11. Great Compromise Created a three branch system of government
Created 1 President and 1 Supreme Court
Created a Bicameral Legislature
The House would be based on population (VA Plan)
The Senate would be equal 2/state (NJ Plan)

12. The Three Branches of Government