Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists Favored the Constitution and strong centralized government Washington, Hamilton, Madison Felt the Constitution should be approved despite flaws Wrote The Federalists papers to make their case.
The Federalist Defended the Constitution and persuaded people of it s need Hamilton, Madison and John Jay The Federalist #10 The US could not be ruled by one powerful faction because of the country s size.
Anti-Federalists Constitution posed a threat to state s and individual s rights Patrick Henry Feared a strong centralized government crushing local governments
Why the Federalists Won Drew on the feelings that the AoC had flaws United around the Constitution Well organized and in contact with each other George Washington s support
Washington and the Nation People would accept Washington as the national leader Proven himself in times of adversity Seemed a person that would act within the bounds of the law All 13 states approved the Constitution by May 1790
Bill of Rights People wanted a clear declaration of rights for the people Like in state constitutions In September 1789 Congress drafted 12 amendments to the Constitution The state governments ratified 10
Bill of Rights Many federalists felt the Constitution didn t need clarification Others felt if the rights were not clearly defined they would be taken away Jefferson liked the Constitution, however the need for a Bill of Rights People listened to him and the Federalists gave in.
Out of Twelve, One The Creation of the Constitution Rationale: Examine and understand the struggle for the members of the Philadelphia Convention to create a Constitution that was agreed upon by all the colonies Big Ideas/Pivotal Questions: How did the Founding Fathers agree upon the compromises made in the Constitution? What issues did the delegates need to compromise on? How was the document viewed by the delegates? How was the document viewed by the men not present at the convention? Objectives: Students will: Empathize with the delegates at the Convention and the need to compromise Analyze how delegates viewed the Constitution Understand why some delegates feared the powered given to the executive branch. Methods: Students will participate in a role-play in which they take on the persona of a member of the Constitutional Convention. The students will use information cards to debate the issue of slavery, representation and taxes and try to come to a compromise. (90 minutes) Class will discuss the frustration felt while trying to come to a compromise and evaluate the compromise in terms of the needs of the nation. (30 minutes) In groups, students will analyze the reaction of delegates regarding the document that was created, primarily selections from James Madison s letter to Thomas Jefferson. Each groups will come together as a class to discuss the different thoughts and whether each man thought the Constitution should be ratified (40 minutes) Students will read excepts from a correspondence between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two men not present at the Convention then fill out a chart analyzing the documents. (20 minutes) Materials: History Alive! Lesson on re-enacting the Constitutional Convention Excerpts from James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, December 9, 1787 from The Origins of the American Constitution. Ed. Michael Kammen. Penguin Group (New York), 1986. pp. 87-90. Document analysis worksheet (see attached) Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, November 13, 1787. The Origins of the American Constitution. Ed. Michael Kammen. Penguin Group (New York), 1986. p. 84. John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, December 6, 1787. The Origins of the American Constitution. Ed. Michael Kammen. Penguin Group: New York (1986). pp. 86-87. Compare and contrast document worksheet (see attached) Duration: 3 classes
Name: Period: Date Document Analysis James Madison to Thomas Jefferson Letter Directions: Read the excepts provided from Madison s October 24, 1787 letter to Jefferson. Using the information in the document answer the questions that follow in your own words! 1. Madison explained to Jefferson that there were four great objectives shared by the delegates. Explain what each of them were. 2. In regards to the Executive Branch, explain two of the many debates written about by Madison. What were the outcomes of these debates? 3. Why was the Executive branch such a controversial topic during this convention? (hint: think about the history of the United States up to this point.) 4. While the delegates were debating the formation of the Senate, what were some ideas the men had in regards to electing Senators? 5. What is the tone of the document? How does Madison feel about the finished document? 6. Reading about the different debates from the Convention, and how each of those debates was resolved, how close was OUR convention at coming to these same conclusions? Do you think our document would have been as successful as the United States Constitution has been? Why or why not?
Name: Period: Date: Compare and Contrast Document Worksheet Letters between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Directions: Read the two letters between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Answer the questions that follow in your own words. Be prepared to discuss your responses. 1. What is Jefferson s primary concern about the proposed Constitution? Why? 2. How would other nations interfere with the United States government? 3. What does Jefferson propose to address his concern? 4. What does Adams most fear in the Constitution? 5. What is the concern that both Jefferson and Adams share? 6. How does Adams want to diminish this concern? 7. Looking at both letters, how do you think each man views the whole Constitution? Do you think both men would have approved the ratification of the document?
Out of Twelve, One The Creation of the Constitution Rationale: Analyze the debates both for and against the Constitution and understand why the Constitution was ultimately ratified. Big Ideas/Pivotal Questions: What were the steps taken to ratify the Constitution? What were two groups for and against the ratification? Which founding fathers were in each group? How did each group circulate their views? What compromises were created to allow for all thirteen states to ratify the constitution? Objectives: Students will: Understand the two arguments over ratification of the Constitution. Analyze the different methods men used to allow their message to be heard. Explain why the Constitution was ratified and why the Bill of Rights was created. Methods: Class will discuss the different ways in which people today express their opinions and messages to the nation (TV ads, books, news shows, ect.) Students will then discuss how people during the 1780s spread their message (Pamphlets, newspapers, letters, speeches) (20 minutes) Lecture and notes on the ratification of the Constitution (40 minutes) As a class, students will read The Federalist #10 then answer questions on the work sheet provided that analyzes the document on their own. Class will go over the worksheet together. (45 minutes) Discussion on cliques in schools to relate to the factions discussed in The Federalists #10 and how the Bill of Rights would settle the fears of the Antifederalists. (15 minutes) Materials: Power Point Presentation on Ratifying the Constitution Selections from Madison, James. The Federalists No. 10. The Origins of the American Constitution. Ed. Michael Kammen. Penguin Group: New York (1986). pp. 145-152 Document Analysis Worksheet (See attached) Duration: 2 classes
Name: Period: Date: Document Analysis The Federalists No. 10 Directions: Using complete sentences and evidence from the document, answer the following questions. 1. Who is the author of the document? What is the historic timeframe of the document? Are there any other historic people or events associated with this document? 2. What is the author s thesis? Is the thesis valid? Give three examples. 3. Is the author biased? Give two examples. 4. What is the historic implication, or impact, of this document? 5. Explain how you would refute, or go against, this author s thesis.