Ratifying the Constitution

1. Ratifying the Constitution Chapter 5 Section 3

2. Federalists vs. Anti-federalists • Federalists • Supporters of the Constitution; favored the new balance of power between the states and national gov. • Antifederalists • Opposed the Constitution; opposed having such a strong central gov.

3. Controversies Over the Constitution • framers set up a procedure so that each state held special conventions • Where voters elected delegates who than represented their state and accepted or rejected the Constitution • If the delegates approved the Constitution—ratification would occur • Official approval of the Constitution by the states (at least nine states in order to be passed) • Gave the farmersan opportunity to campaign for delegates in their states who would support ratification

5. Federalists • Insisted that the division of powers and system of checks and balances would protect Americans from the tyranny of centralized authority

6. Antifederalists • Countered with a long list of possible abuses of power by a strong central gov. • Fear that gov. would serve the interests of the privileged minority instead of the majority • Raiseddoubts that asingle government could manage the affairs of alarge country • Antifederalists focused on the Constitution’s lack of protection for individual rights

7. Opposing Forces (slide 1) • Leading federalists: • George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton • Used their experience and powers to win the support of drafting the constitution • Received heavy support from urban centers • People who relied on regulating trade saw that this would benefit them • Small states or ones with weak economies favored a strong central government as well

8. Opposing Forces (slide 2) • Leading Antifederalists: • Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee • Received support from rural areas • People feared a strong government would add to their tax burden • Large states with strong economies did not support the Constitution at first • Ex: New York; had greater freedom under the Articles of Confederation

9. The Federalists • A series of 85 essays that defended the Constitution • Written by the Federalists leaders • Provided analysis and an explanation of Constitutional provisions (laws) • Ex: Seperation of powers and the limits on the power of majorities

10. The Bill of Rights Leads to Ratification • Constitution did not guarantee that the gov. would protect the rights of the people or of the states • The constitution had a lack of a formal summary of citizens’ rights and freedoms

11. Demanding a Bill of Rights • Antifederalistsargued that the people needed a national bill of rights • They wanted freedom of speech, press, religion, assurance of the right to trial by jury, and the right to bear arms • Federalists • Wanted the Constitution to grant only limited powers to the national government • Said that the people did have rights because the delegates whom they trusted made the decisions

12. Ratification of the Constitution • Delaware led the country in ratifying the Constitution in December 1787 • June 1788, New Hampshire was the last state (ninth) to approve the Constitution • The large states of Virginia and New York did not vote but the gov. needed the influence

13. Adoption of a Bill of Rights • In September 1789, Congress submitted 12 amendments to the state legislatures for ratification • By December 1791, the required three-fourths of the states had ratified ten of the amendments, which are now the Bill of Rights

14. Bill of Rights • First eight amendments spell out the personal liberties the states had requested • Ninth and Tenth amendment: • Impose general limits on the powers of the federal government • The protection of rights and freedoms did not apply to all Americans • Native Americans, slaves, and women were not mentioned • Some northern states permitted free blacks to vote; but they had no protection over white’s discrimination and hostility