1. Debating the Constitution-

2. Federalists- VideoVideo Federalists supported a strong central government Federalists Papers-essays supporting the Constitution Famous Federalists-James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay (later applied to John Adams) Federalists were supported by Washington and Franklin

3. Antifederalists- VideoVideo Opponents of Constitutional ratification were the Antifederalists Wrote Antifederalists Papers Believed Constitution weakened the states, gave too much power to President, lacked Bill of Rights George Mason and Patrick Henry (later applied to Jefferson)

4. Ratification Debate 9 states had to ratify Constitution for it to go into effect Delaware’s convention approved it on December 7, 1787. PA, NJ, GA, CT soon followed Antifederalists hoped to win in Mass (site of Shays’ Rebellion). Constitution approved there due to Federalist efforts.

5. Continued MD and SC approved-all eyes on Virginia Henry vs. Madison Federalists narrowly win out June 1788-while VA debating, NH became ninth state to approve. NY and NC followed soon after RI became last state to approve in May 1790. Dr. Benjamin Rush wrote, “Tis done. We have become a nation.”

6. Bill of Rights- VideoVideo 1789-Washington elected President by Congress with John Adams as VP March 1789-one of the first tasks of new Congress was to create Bill of Rights Framers wanted to make Constitution flexible enough to change-but not to be done easily Process made fairly difficult

7. Continued 1789-Congress passed 10 Amendments (Bill of Rights) approved by ¾ of states Aimed to protect people against abuses of federal government (as was the case in colonial times)