1. DEBATING THE CONSTITUTION
CHAPTER 7 SECTION 3

2. VOCABULARY RATIFY – TO APPROVE
FEDERALIST- THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE PASSAGE OF THE CONSTITUTION
FEDERALIST PAPERS- A SERIES OF 85 NEWSPAPER ESSAYS THAT ARGUED FOR A STRONGER CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON AND JOHN JAY.
ANTIFEDERALIST- THOSE WHO OPPOSED THE CONSTITUTION. THEY WERE LEAD BY GEORGE MASON, PATRICK HENRY, AND THOMAS PAINE.
BILL OF RIGHTS- A LIST OF FREEDOMS GOVERNMENT MUST RESPECT

3. FEDERALIST VERSUS ANTIFEDERALIST
NEEDED A STRONGER NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
THE CONSTITUTION MADE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TOO STRONG AND DID NOT GUARANTEE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
WELL ORGANIZED – They wrote essays in several newspapers around the country explaining the need for a stronger government. These essays were known as the Federalist Papers
The Constitution needed a Bill of Rights
The Constitution could be amended to protect individual rights
Feared oppression. The President might become like a king if repeatedly reelected.
Supported by important leaders like George Washington and Ben Franklin
John Hancock , Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine were well-known
Anti-Federalist
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were well-known Federalist

4. THE RATIFICATION DEBATE
THE CONSTITUTION NEEDED 9 OF THE13 STATE S TO APPROVE THE CONSTITUTION BEFORE IT COULD GO INTO EFFECT.
DELAWARE BECAME THE FIRST TO RATIFY THE CONSTITUTION
NEW HAMPSHIRE (June 1788) BECAME THE 9TH TO APPROVE IT AND PUT IT INTO EFFECT.
AN IMPORTANT DEBATE IN ONE OF THE LARGEST STATES VIRGINIA PERSUADED OTHERS TO VOTE FOR THE CONSTITUTION.
PATRICK HENRY --- SAID THERE ARE NO REAL CHECKS AND BALANCES
JAMES MADISON – SAID THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BREAK UP IF VIRGINIA FAILED TO RATIFY.
Virginia ratified it by a narrow vote 89-79
RHODE ISLAND WAS THE LAST TO RATIFY 1790

5. ¾ OF THE STATES HAD TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS (NINE STATES)
BILL OF RIGHTS
THE FEDERALIST PROMISED A BILL OF RIGHTS IF THE CONSTITUTION WAS RATIFIED
MANY OF THE STATES INSISTED THAT A BILL OF RIGHTS BE ADDED
THE FIRST THING THE NEW CONGRESS DID UNDER THE CONSTITUTION WAS TO PROPOSE A BILL OF RIGHTS
¾ OF THE STATES HAD TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS (NINE STATES)
THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION ARE CALLED THE BILL OF RIGHTS
THE BILL OF RIGHTS AIMS TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM ABUSES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
MANY OF THE AMENDMENTS REFLECTED THE STRUGGLES THE COLONIST HAD WITH BRITAIN BEFORE THE WAR

7. SUMMARY
FEDERALIST BELIEVED THAT THREE COMPETING BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WOULD KEEP ANY ONE PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM BECOMING TOO STRONG
A BILL OF RIGHTS WAS ADDED TO THE CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE AGAINST ABUSES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ANTIFEDERALIST WERE CONCERNED THAT A STRONG FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD THREATEN STATES RIGHT’S AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS