H-SS 8.2.4- Describe the political philosophy in support of the Constitution as written in the Federalist Papers, and the role political leaders played in the ratification of the Constitution

Debating the Constitution Chapter 3, section 3

A. The Steps of Ratification The Constitution was submitted to Congress, who then agreed to send it to the states to be ratified Delegates were elected to state conventions to consider the Constitution The Constitution had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states for it to become law

B. Federalists Versus Antifederalists Not everybody believed that the Constitution was a great idea Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, supported the Constitution and a strong national government Antifederalists, led by George Mason argued that the Constitution took away too much power from the states, didn’t guarantee the protection of rights, and feared the President could become a king

C. The Heated Ratification Debate Madison, Hamilton and John Jay wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers in support of the Constitution During the debates, Antifederalists convinced the Federalists to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution In June, 1788 the Constitution was ratified by the 9th state and went into effect

‘Our Constitution is in actual operation and everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain but death and taxes.’ -Benjamin Franklin