Ratification Chapter 5 Section 3
THE DEBATE BEGINS • Ratification: The U.S. Constitution states that 9 states must ratify a document for it to become the official law of the land. • Federalists argue that a federal government would maintain state unity. States without a strong government would lead to competition over land and commerce and there would be no state unity for the common defense of the United States. • Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual liberties. Supported a Bill of Rights.
The Federalists • Federalists are supported the Constitution and tended to be supported by merchants and urban areas • Federalists =Federalism is a system of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments • James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, George Washington, and Ben Franklin
Anti-Federalists • Anti-Federalist did not want the Constitution passed and are supported by small farmers and rural settlers • Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee, George Clinton, Edmund Randolph, and George Mason
Federalists argued for Wanted a strong national government Three branches of government filled with men of “reputation” Wanted a president to lead executive branch No Bill of Rights Antifederalists argued States should have power Wanted legislative branch to be strongest branch of government Feared a strong president in office (compared to king) A Bill of Rights would protect the rights of Americans DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS • John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison will write 85 essays • It is political propaganda and explains American political thought of the day • It is written to appeal to the Anti-Federalists that it is important to ratify the U.S. Constitution
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS • The essays will be written under the fake name of Pulbius • Alexander Hamilton will write most of the essays and they will be published in newspapers • Hamilton believes that the Articles of Confederation will lead to anarchy
FEDERALIST #10 • Madison argues that our nation is large with many groups who would keep each other in check and would prevent certain groups from being in power • Creditors and debtors, rich and poor, merchants and land owners
FEDERALIST #15 • Hamilton points out the Articles of Confederation has many weaknesses • “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
FEDERALIST #51 • Madison explains the system of “checks and balances”, each branch has powers that limits the influence of the other branches of government • Federal Judges are appointed for life to be free from political pressure
The Federalists Papers • John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers to get support for the Constitution. Papers addressed issues such as representation, rights of individuals and majority rule. • The Anti-Federalists respond in the “Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention”, which argued the fear of a strong executive branch and the absence of a Bill of Rights.
The Fight for Ratification • 9 of 13 had to ratify the U.S. Constitution for it to become law • Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut all ratified by the beginning of 1788 • Massachusetts • Federalist added a Bill of Rights and promised amendment that would reserve state’s powers (10th Amendment) • Response was ratification
The Fight for Ratification • By the end of June 1788, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire had ratified (made 9) • Feared the gov’t wouldn’t succeed if Virginia and New York didn’t ratify • Virginia and New York • Virginia ratification=Bill of Rights • New York=2/3 of state convention was Anti-federalists. • Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
The Fight for Ratification • Delayed vote until news of ratification of VA and NH was heard • Put New York in awkward position • If they chose not to ratify they would be independent of the state • By 1788, all states had ratified except North Carolina and Rhode Island • Already had 9 states=began launching new gov’t • March 4, 1789=1st meeting of new Congress • NC waited till Bill of Rights were presented to ratify=November 1789 • Rhode Island=1790
The Fight for Ratification • U.S. now had a new government • Many Americans expressed great confidence b/c the 1st president under the new Constitution was George Washington
