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Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution. Chapter 8, Section 3. Federalists and Antifederalists. Constitution was sent to states for approval It was published in newspapers and pamphlets, too Heavily debated What was the goal of the Federalists ? Ratification

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Ratifying the Constitution

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  1. Ratifying the Constitution Chapter 8, Section 3

  2. Federalists and Antifederalists • Constitution was sent to states for approval • It was published in newspapers and pamphlets, too • Heavily debated • What was the goal of the Federalists? • Ratification • Why did the Antifederalists oppose the Constitution? • Thought it took much power away from the states; did not guarantee rights for the people • How did Antifederalists work against ratification? • Published their views in newspapers and pamphlets • Tried to appeal to people’s emotions

  3. Federalists and antifederalists • Which group wanted a stronger central government? • Federalists • If you had been alive in 1787, would you have been a Federalist or an Antifederalist? • Federalist – because they favor the Constitution • Antifederalist – because they favor individual rights

  4. The Federalist Papers • Federalists responded to Antifederalists • What were The Federalist papers? • Essays to answer the Antifederalists’ attacks • Later published in a book called The Federalist • Who wrote The Federalist papers? • James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay • The authors used the pseudonym "Publius" • They appealed to reason and emotion • In which states was there strong opposition to the Constitution? • MA, NC, RI, NY, VA

  5. The Battle for Ratification • When did the first nine states ratify the Constitution? • By June 1788 • What slowed ratification in Virginia and New York? • There were many antifederalists in both states • Opposed to ratification – why? • Patrick Henry • George Mason • Antifederalists; they wouldn’t vote for the Constitutionuntil a bill of rights was added

  6. The Battle for ratification • Why were these two states so important? • VA was the largest state • Without NY, nation would be cut in half geographically • James Madison suggests they ratify and he’ll recommend a bill of rights • What helped to win ratification in New York? • News of ratification in Virginia

  7. The Bill of Rights • What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights? • To protect people against the power of the national government • What role did James Madison play in adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution? • He proposed and wrote the Bill of Rights • When did the Bill of Rights become part of the Constitution? • 1791 • What was the significance of the Bill of Rights? • Key to getting enough support to ensure ratification • One of the first acts of the new government

  8. Key Terms • Federalism – a system of government where power is shared among the central (or federal) government and the states • Federalists – supporters of the Constitution • Antifederalist – a person who opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution • The Federalist papers – a series of essays defending and explaining the Constitution • George Mason – influential, from Virginia; opposed ratification of Constitution unless it included a bill of rights • Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, added in 1791, and consisting of a formal list of citizens’ rights and freedoms

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