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

DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW 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

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