1. Con Law Lesson 05
Aim: How did the states react to the decision of the Constitutional Convention?

2. How would the Constitution be Ratified?
The Articles of Confederation allowed for revisions, and the men who attended the Constitutional Convention were sent to "amend" the Articles.
However, since they completely abandoned the Articles and designed the Constitution; they added "Article VII" which states
"The ratification of the conventions of 9 states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same".
The Constitution was sent to the states on September 28, 1787.

3. Let's Get Ready to Rumble:
Federalists: Supported Ratification
Stressed the weaknesses of the Articles
Favored greatly increasing the powers of the federal government
Did not believe a Bill of Rights was necessary
Anti-Federalists: Opposed Ratification
Objected to the ratification process
Objected to the fact that no mention of God was present
Denied to the states the power to print money
Demanded a Bill of Rights be added
Opposed the increased power of the federal government

4. Federalist Papers A series of 85 Essays written by “Publius”
Alexander Hamilton – (51 Articles – Numbers 1, 6 -9, 11 – 13, 15 – 17, 21 – 36, 59 – 61, & 65 – 85)
James Madison – (29 Articles – Numbers 10, 14, 18 – 20, , & 62 – 63)
John Jay – ( 5 Articles – Numbers 2 – 5, & 64)

5. Most Important Federalist Papers
In the "Federalist No. 10” - Madison discusses the means of preventing rule by majority faction and advocates a large, commercial republic, is generally regarded as the most important of the 85 articles from a philosophical perspective.
In the "Federalist No. 14” - Madison takes the measure of the United States, declares it appropriate for an extended republic, and concludes with a memorable defense of the constitutional and political creativity of the Federal Convention.
In the "Federalist No. 84” - Hamilton makes the case that there is no need to amend the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights, insisting that the various provisions in the proposed Constitution protecting liberty amount to a "bill of rights".

6. Most Important Federalist Papers
In the "Federalist No. 78” - Hamilton, lays the groundwork for the doctrine of judicial review by federal courts of federal legislation or executive acts.
In the "Federalist No. 70" – Hamilton presents the case for a one-man chief executive.
In the "Federalist No. 39” - Madison presents the clearest exposition of what has come to be called "Federalism".
In the "Federalist No. 51” - Madison distils arguments for checks and balances in an essay often quoted for its justification of government as "the greatest of all reflections on human nature."

7. Anti-Federalist Papers
A series of 85 or so essays written by people who opposed passage of the US Constitution.
Likely authors include – Patrick Henry, John Dewitt, George Clinton, Samuel Bryan, Robert Yates, and others.
The essays were published in Newspapers just like the Federalist Papers but did not receive the same reception.
The Anti-Federalist papers were unable to stop Ratification of the US Constitution but they were able to get some of their ideas but forth – such as the Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution.

8. Ratification of the US Constitution
State
Date
Vote
Delaware
December 7, 1787
30-0
Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787
46-23
New Jersey
December 18, 1787
38-0
Georgia
January 2, 1788
26-0
Connecticut
January 9, 1788
128-40
Massachusetts
February 6, 1788
Maryland
April 28, 1788
63-11
South Carolina
May 23, 1788
149-73
New Hampshire
June 21, 1788
57-46
Virginia
June 25, 1788
89-79
New York
July 26, 1788
30-27
North Carolina
November 21, 1789
(1st vote failed /4/1788)
Rhode Island
May 29, 1790
34-32

9. Inaugurating the New Government
On September 13, 1788 with 11 of 13 states having agreed to the New Constitution the Congress chose New York as the temporary capital.
Due to various procedural problems it was not until April 6, 1789 when George Washington was announced as the first President of the United States and John Adams was announced as the first Vice-President.
On April 30, 1789 both men were sworn in and the United States of America under the Constitution would begin it's work.
The Capital was moved to Philadelphia in December 1790, and to Washington DC on December 17, 1800

10. President George Washington, 1789-1797

11. Vice President John Adams