WARM UP 1 Finish the reverse side of the worksheet we began yesterday 2 It discusses the Articles in the U.S. Constitution 3 You may use your notes or information collected online for the ones that were not discussed yesterday
THE RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
THE RATIFICATION PROCESS I. Each state held a special convention in order to vote on the new constitution II. The delegates elected by people III. Ratification of Constitution required the approval of 9 states out of 13 IV. Purpose: A. Bypass state legislatures who would oppose it since Constitution reduced power of states B. Gave framers time to campaign for delegates in their states who would support ratification
POLITICAL PARTIES I. After the completion of the Constitution two sides developed with very different opinions on the document II. These groups eventually became the first two political parties in the USA A. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
POLITICAL PARTIES I. Federalists A. Supported the U.S. Constitution B. Wanted a strong central govt. and weaker state govt. C. Supported a strong executive branch D. Believed checks and balances would prevent tyranny I. Anti-Federalists A. Opposed the new Constitution B. Believed the Constitution made the national govt. too strong C. President has too much power D. Wanted to go back to the A of C and supported state govt.
FEDERALISTS I. Supporters of Constitution: A. Urban centers (merchants, skilled workers, laborers) i. Saw the benefit of a national gov. that could control trade B. Small states and those with weak economies i. Because central gov. could protect their interests II. Leading Supporters: A. George Washington B. James Madison
ANTI-FEDERALISTS I. Non-Supporters of the Constitution A. Rural areas i. Saw little benefit in a strong government that might add to their tax burden. B. Large states and those with strong economies (ie. NY) i. Because had greater freedom under the Articles of Confederation II. Leading Non- Supporters A. Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, Richard Henry Lee
THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE CONSTITUTION I. Both sides campaigned on subject of Constitution in newspapers II. Tried to get the public to support their position on the Constitution III. Gain public support would lead to ratification or defeat IV. 2 Leading Documents:
FEDERALIST PAPERS I. The Federalist Papers (Federalists) A. Pro-Constitution Writings B. 85 essays written in NY newspapers 1787-1788 C. Published by signature Publius D. Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay II. Provided an analysis and explanation of the Constitution A. Mentioned the 6 principles and how they would keep the government from becoming too powerful III. Became very influential & convinced many that the Constitution was needed
I. Letters from a Federal Farmer I. Anti-Constitution pamphlet II. LETTERS FROM A FEDERAL FARMER Written by Richard Henry Lee or Melancton Smith II. Insisted rights of individuals and states needed to be protected III. Argued that a strong government in the USA would be like Great Britain IV. Unsuccessfully tried to stop the ratification of the Constitution
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
CALL FOR BILL OF RIGHTS I. Since Constitution threatened the power of the states and individuals something was needed to protect individual rights A. Anti-Federalists believe the government is too strong and needed to be controlled II. Despite arguments from the Federalists a Bill of Rights was added to protect individual rights of American citizens A. The Federalists get their strong government B. The Anti-Federalist get their rights protected
RATIFICATION I. The ratification process began following the end of the Constitutional Convention II. First State to Ratify Delaware Dec. 1787 III. Dec. 1787 New Hampshire 9 th state to ratify = constitution is approved and became the law IV. NY,VA, NC, and RI had not yet voted A. Needed NY and VA to legitimize the Constitution
The Final Victory I. Debate in VA was fierce but the support of GW, JM brought Federalist victory in June 1788 II. NY ratified on July 26, 1788 III. Last state to accept Constitution = RI (5/29/90) IV. Many states had waited for Federalists pledge to include Bill of Rights before ratifying V. Bill of Rights finally passed by Congress 9/25/89, ratified Dec. 15, 1791 and the Constitution is complete
ARE YOU WITH ME?? 1 How many states needed to ratify the Constitution before it became law? 2 Explain the political ideology of the Federalists: 3 Explain the political ideology of the Anti-Federalists: 4 What are the two persuasive essays written on the Constitution? Which side did each of them argue? 5 What was added to the Constitution to protect the rights of the individuals? 6 When did the Constitution become the law of the land?