1. Ratification
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

2. The Draft is Done
The final draft of the Constitution is finished September 17, 1787
To become law, 9 of the 13 states would have to ratify
Two sides developed in the fight, Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

3. Federalists Favored the Constitution
Supported by merchants and people in the cities
Argued that without the new Constitution and a strong federal government, anarchy and political disorder would occur
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

4. Anti-Federalists Criticized the Constitution
Supported by inland farmers
Accused the Framers of producing an extralegal document
Strongest argument against was the lack of guaranteed rights of the people
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

5. Progress Federalists promised a Bill of Rights
Small states ratified first because of equal representation in the Senate
The fight for New York to ratify led a group of Federalists (Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay) to publish essays in newspapers defending the Constitution, later known as The Federalist Papers
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

7. A New State
With Virginia and New York ratifying, a new government was in place
New York City was the first capital
George Washington was the first president and John Adams was the first VP
22 senators and 59 representatives were elected
March 4, 1789 – Congress met for the first time
April 30, 1789 – Washington took the oath of office
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution

8. A Promise Kept
James Madison introduced a set of 19 amendments during the first session of Congress
Congress approved 12 Amendments
The states ratified 10 of them in 1791, which became known as the Bill of Rights
The two the states rejected
Ensuring that the House of Representatives didn’t represent too many people
Congress could not give itself a pay raise (27th 1992)
Students will identify the process and debates associated with the ratification of the Constitution