1. Ratifying the Constitution Pages 40-42
Chapter 2 Section 5
Ratifying the Constitution
Pages 40-42

2. Objectives
Identify the main arguments in the debate over ratification of the Constitution.
Discuss the role of a bill of rights in the debate.
Identify the key states that were among the last to ratify the Constitution.

3. Ratifying the Constitution
The signing of the Constitution did not mean the end of debate. People still mostly considered themselves New Yorkers or Virginians first, and Americans second.
We will review events that took place between September 17, 1787 and May 29, 1790.

4. Federalists and Antifederalists
Federalists: supported a stronger federal form of government.
Antifederalists: opposite of federalist. New York and Virginia were antifederalists states.
Patrick Henry, from Virginia was an antifederalists knew that a national government would be to powerful.
A strong executive would be to similar to a monarch.
The antifederalists largest criticism was the lack of bill of rights.

5. Federalists: argued that separate powers belong to each branch of government and each would check on the other branches.
Federalists: bill of rights, Federalists believed the people have the right to free speech and the Constitution did not need to specify.

6. Ratification
December 7, 1787: Delaware was first to ratify the Constitution.
The Federalist Papers: respected as an analysis of the Constitution and of the foundations of U.S. government. These newspaper articles were written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay.
June 21, 1788: New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York ratified the Constitution.
To gain passage of the Constitution the Federalists promised in the first Congress to pass a bill of rights.
November, 1789: North Carolina ratified
May, 1790: Rhode Island ratified

7. March 4, 1789:The first Congress met in New York City
April 30, 1789: George Washington became the first President of this new nation.