AIM: Should the Constitution have been ratified

1
AIM Should the Constitution have been ratified?

• Do Now How did Thomas Paines Common Sense
  impact the Revolutionary War? Why was it so
  successful?

2

• I. Federalists vs. Anti-federalists
• A. Federalists Favored ratification. Wanted a
  strong national government.
• 1. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James
  Madison, Alexander Hamilton
• B. Anti-federalists opposed ratification and
  wanted a weak national government. Feared that a
  strong national government would threaten
  peoples rights.

3

• II. Ratification
• A. 9 States ratified the Constitution within a
  year, but NY and VA did not
• B. Virginia ratified the Constitution only after
  a Bill of Rights was promised
• C. New York was convinced to ratify after The
  Federalists Papers were written
• 1. Pro-ratification papers written by Alexander
  Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
• 2. Stressed the need for a strong National
  government and each branch would check and
  balance the others

4

• III. The new government takes office in 1789
• A. Washington is elected President
• B. New York City is the nations first capital