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Ratification: Bill of Rights

Ratification: Bill of Rights. Signing the Constitution, 1787. Timeline. May 14, 1787 Convention begins Sept 17, 1787 Constitution signed June 1788 Constitution becomes active May 1790 Last states signs Constitution. Constitutional Convention. Sept 17, 1787

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Ratification: Bill of Rights

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  1. Ratification: Bill of Rights Signing the Constitution, 1787

  2. Timeline • May 14, 1787 Convention begins • Sept 17, 1787 Constitution signed • June 1788 Constitution becomes active • May 1790 Last states signs Constitution

  3. Constitutional Convention • Sept 17, 1787 • thirty nine of remaining forty two delegates sign Constitution - George Mason • send to people for approval • why is this so radical? • A continuation of the revolutionary spirit o f’76 • Circumventing state legislatures • but most signers think the “commons” are fools! • Gouverneur Morris comes up with a phrase to introduce the Constitution… “We the People, in order to form a more perfect Union…”

  4. Ratification • States hold the special conventions to determine ratification of the new Constitution • 9 of 13 must pass for the constitution to go into effect • change from Articles • amendment required unanimity • most states have well publicized debates • large states MA, NY, PA, VA are considered necessary for ultimate adoption.

  5. Anti-Federalists • Opponents of the Constitution • offer traditional republican fears • expansion of central government will lead to corruption and control by aristocrats • large republic would separate legislators from the interests of their constituents • executive salaries, power • attack absence of a Bill of Rights • poor national program (of course, they were localists!).

  6. Federalists • Supporters of the Constitution • attacks lead Madison, Hamilton and John Jay to write The Federalist Papers • written for New York elections • reprinted throughout colonies • become modern method of interpreting “correct meaning” of the Constitution • Federalist Number 10 (in your readings) • turns conventional wisdom about size of republics on its head.

  7. A tight series of elections • Tight elections in many states cause Federalists to change tactics • from “its just perfect …” • to “we can always amend it…” • to “we’ll amend it after it is passed…” • major result of Anti-Federalist opposition is the Bill of Rights.

  8. Results of the Debates • new government represents awareness that interest rather than virtue runs the government • this is the second American Revolution..

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