Ratifying the Constitution Federalists vs. Antifederalists

After four months the framers of the Constitution were finished After four months the framers of the Constitution were finished. The system of ratification (official approval) required each state to hold a special convention. State legislatures were bypassed – they would probably oppose the Constitution because states lost power in the new proposed system Ratification required the agreement of at least nine states.

rural areas feared increased taxes Antifederalists opposed the Constitution and a strong central government. They wanted the states to retain power and included Patrick Henry and Sam Adams. rural areas feared increased taxes large states did not want to lose power

Federalists supported the Constitution and included George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. merchants, skilled workers, and laborers wanted a strong central government small states thought the Constitution would protect their interests

The Federalist Papers The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays supporting the Constitution that appeared in New York newspapers between 1787 and 1788. They were published under the pseudonym publius, but were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay and sought to convince states to ratify the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights Leads to Ratification Thomas Jefferson, who supported the Constitution, felt that the lack of a Bill of Rights was a serious problem. Antifederalists argued that because the states were weakened by the Constitution, individuals needed written guarantees to free speech, press and religion. Eventually, the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights if the states agreed to ratify the Constitution. Delaware became the first state to ratify in December, 1787. In June, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution. When New York and Virginia approved the Constitution later in 1788, the federalists had clearly won.