RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTIONChapter 8 Section 3

FEDERALISTS AND ANTIFEDERALISTS

Ratification of the Constitution:• Document printed in newspapers

and pamphlets• Caused controversy• Many feared the new government• Thought it took too much power

away from the states

FEDERALISTS AND ANTIFEDERALISTS (CONT’D)

To address fears:• Constitution based on Federalism:– Power is divided between the central

and state gov’ts– People who liked this idea were called

Federalists

Antifederalists thought it took too much power away from states– No guarantee of people’s rights!

THE FEDERALIST PAPERS

• Supporters of the Constitution wrote essays to support new gov’t

• The most popular: The Federalist papers

• Published in newspapers• Written by:– James Madison– Alexander Hamilton– John Jay

THE BATTLE FOR RATIFICATION

• By June 1788: Nine states had ratified Constitution

• Antifederalists in VA and NY would not ratify the Constitution

• They wanted a guarantee that people’s rights would be protected.

• Madison suggested they add a bill of rights so these states would ratify

THE BILL OF RIGHTS• More states called for a bill of

rights to protect the people• Madison took up the cause• These changes would become

the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

• These come to be called the Bill of Rights

• With a bill of rights, all the states ratify the Constitution