Federalists, AntiFederalists, and Ratification Unit 2: Constitutional Principles

The Struggle for Ratification After the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, the fight for Ratification began. 9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution before it would go into effect. Two factions (opposing groups) emerged: Federalists who supported the Constitution (Hamilton) Anti-Federalists who opposed to the Constitution (Jefferson) These two groups argued for their position in newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets until the Constitution was ratified by the 9th and decisive state on June 21, 1788 1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on: PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble….. Issue Antifederalists Federalists Supporters Small Farmers, rural areas, debtors Large Farmers, merchants, artisans, creditors A Constitution that establishes a strong central government Opposed. Worried that states would lose influence. Favored. The Revolution was fought among a united group that sought independence. Power of the individual states Strongly supported the power and influence of states Favored limiting state power. Argued that the Senate adequately represented state interests Bill of Rights Supported as essential to prevent Government threat to liberty Not necessary. States had Bills of Rights and there were protections in the Constitution Size of the Nation Only a small republics could protect rights. Nothing this big ever tried before. A large republic was seen as best protection for individual freedoms Amount of Power concentrated in the federal government Too much power and too much ability to abuse power Checks and balances prevent abuses Hamilton or Jefferson? Jefferson Hamilton

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Edition Who said it? Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Edition

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “Our country is too large to have all affairs directed by a single government.”

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “The small landowners are the most precious part of the state.”

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born; the other, the mass of people…. The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore the first class a ….permanent share in the government….they therefore will ever maintain good government.”

Federalists!

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “The powers contained in the constitution….ought to be construed liberally in advancement of the public good.”

Federalists!

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? "I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire."

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “No one man should have all that power”

Federalist? Or Anti-Federalist? “When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”

The Federalist Papers In an effort to rally support for the Constitution several key Federalists wrote a series of letters that were printed in several newspapers defending the U.S. Constitution. It is arguable how impactful they were in convincing the public to support the Constitution but they provided a blueprint on how the government would be run The three key authors were James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. Jay wrote 5 and fell ill Madison wrote 29. Hamilton wrote the other 51. This is why there is no musical about Jay or Madison.

Federalist #10 One of the most influential writings explaining and defending the structure of government laid out in the Constitution Written by James Madison General Purpose: Defend the size of the government against the belief that only small republics could protect liberty. Madison attacked the issue by pointing out the danger of “factions” to liberty. “By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse or passion, or of interest adverse to the rights of citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community. - James Madison, Federalist 10 So what are some factions we see today? Can government ever get rid of the causes of faction? If they actually could, should they?

Legislative Executive Judicial The greatest danger to liberty was the power of government, a lesson learned under British rule. Madison believed that “factions” that happened to take control of the government would be the biggest threat to liberty of the American people. His “republic” wanted to divide government time and time again to prevent a concentration of power. Branch of Government Legislative Executive Judicial House Senate Levels of Government Federal State Local Power

Minority Faction Majority A system governed by majority rule means that minority factions will be outvoted. Making the republic large increases the diversity of factions competing for power and attention. The system of representation, in which all officials are elected and accountable to different groups helps filter selfish interests. Separation of powers prevents a concentration of power in a single branch. Federalism prevents a concentration of power in one level of government. Check and balances allows “ambition to counteract ambition.

Ratification In the spirit of Compromise, the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights which helped the document to be ratified. Delaware was the first state to ratify the document on December 7, 1787. New Hampshire was the 9th and decisive state. North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the Constitution whey they approved the document on November 21, 1789. Rhode Island was the last to ratify in 1790.

A Republic… Not a Democracy State legislatures elect Senators Electors (“Electoral College”) elect President Two kinds of majorities The people (The House of Reps) The states (The Senate) Judicial Branch and Judicial Review (Intent of Founders not clear) Amendment Process