Ratification of the Constitution

1. Ratification of the Constitution Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

2. Constitution Needs Approval • A.) The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to read The framers knew it would cause controversy • B.) Explained the constitution was based on federalism: • Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power)

3. Ratification • C.) 9 of the 13 states had to approve the Constitution forratification • Led to many different opinions about what a government should & should not do

4. political parties • Two political groups formed out of the debates: • Federalist: Forratifying the Constitution • Anti-Federalist: Againstratifying the Constitution Anti-Federalists Federalists VS John Jay Alexander Hamilton Richard Henry Lee Patrick Henry James Madison George Mason

5. Reasons for Ratification Debate VS

6. Informed Public Federalist Stance • Federalist Papers • Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & JohnJay • Published anonymously under pen name “Publius” • Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York newspapers supporting the Constitution • Use of political cartoons to follow the ratification • “The Federal Pillars” published in the Massachusetts Centinel

8. The Federalist Pillars

9. Informed Public Anti-Federalist Complaints • Published pamphlets to convince American’s thatthe Constitution destroyed basic liberties:freedom of press, religious tolerance, right to a trial by jury • George Mason -Concept of inalienable rights influenced Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence • Member of the Constitutional Convention, advocated strong local gov’t & weak central gov’t, did not sign the constitution • Patrick Henry -Did not attend the Constitutional Convention b/c “smelled a rat” & fought against ratification Mason Henry

10. Constitutional Compromise • A.) James Madison proposed amendments (changes) to the Constitution • 1.) The first10 amendments added to the end of the Constitution are calledthe Bill of Rights • a.) Protectthepeople from the power of the federal gov’t

11. Ratification Timeline 12/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-0 2/6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of 187-168 November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place 12/18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of 38-0 5/23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of 149-73 9/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval 12/31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 26-0 6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47 1788 1787 7/2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution 9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval 1/9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of 128-40 12/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of 46-23 7/26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-27 4/26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of 63-11 6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 89-79 1789 1790 1791 11/21/1789 – North Carolina ratifies Constitution, after several failed attempts to hold a convention, with a vote of 194-77 5/29/1790 – Rhode Island, only state not to send delegates to Convention, ratifies Constitution with a vote of 34-32 March 1789 – First Congress convenes in New York 4/14/1789 – President George Washington takes oath of office 12/15/1791 – 10 of the 12 amendments are ratified & become the Bill of Rights 9/25/1789 – James Madison proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution