Ratifying the Constitution

1
Ratifying the Constitution

• Chapter 5 Section 3

2
Ratification Process

• Americans shocked by the radical changes of the
  new Constitution
• Each state called for a Convention where
  delegates voted to accept or reject the new
  Constitution.
• Ratification official approval required
  agreement of nine states.

3
For or Against?

• Federalists supporters of the Constitution.
• Believed division of powers and the system of
  checks and balances would protect from the
  tyranny.
• Anti-Federalists- Non-supporters of the
  Constitution.
• Believed the Constitution lacked protection for
  individual rights

4
Federalists and Anti-Federalists

• Leading Federalists
• George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander
  Hamilton.
• Leading Anti-Federalists
• Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry.

5
War of Words

• Both sides waged a war of words in the public
  debate over ratification.
• The Federalist, was a series of 85 essays
  defending the Constitution.
• Letters from the Federal Framer, most widely read
  Anti-Federalist publication.

6
Bill of Rights

• Constitution did not guarantee the govt would
  protect the rights of the people/states
• Thomas Jefferson felt this was the drawback to
  ratification.
• People demanded a Bill of Rights that guaranteed
  the freedom of speech, press, religion, trial by
  jury and bear arms.

7
Ratification of the Constitution

• Delaware led the country in ratifying it in Dec.
  of 1787 and it was finally ratified by all states
  in 1790.
• Sept. 1789, Congress submitted 12 amendments for
  states ratification
• Dec. 1791, ¾ of the states ratified 10 of the
  amendments, which became known as the Bill of
  Rights.