United states government Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Map: Location of Federalist and Antifederalist Support Warm-Up: Graphics Work Map: Location of Federalist and Antifederalist Support In what areas of the country was support for the Federalists concentrated? In what ways would this have given the Federalists an advantage at the state conventions where the Constitution was debated and ratified?

Notes: Ratification of the Constitution

Ratification of the Constitution: Process Article VII dictated that ratification by 9 of the 13 states would cause the Constitution to take effect; Article VII also states that the ratification votes would take place in special State Conventions (Notice that the 9/13 requirement directly contradicted the requirement in the Articles of Confederation that any amendments must be unanimous) Nevertheless, the Confederation Congress voted (unanimously) to forward the Constitution to the states for ratification.

Antifederalist Criticisms 1) The national government created by the Constitution was too powerful (And would become tyrannical, just like the British government) 2) The Presidency created by the Constitution was too powerful (Enabling the President to act like a King) 3) The Constitution contained no protection for individual liberties (So the federal government would be free to trample on the rights of the people)

Federalist Responses The strongest responses to the Antifederalist arguments came from Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay These three published a series of essays, collectively titled The Federalist, in New York newspapers under the pseudonym, “Publius” 1) The Constitution only gave the federal government enough power to be effective Congress’s powers were limited to those delegated to it; The nation’s size would actually limit opportunities for tyranny, because on one faction could become too powerful (Federalist #10) 2) No one branch would become too powerful, because the Constitution established a system of checks and balances (Federalist #51 & #78) 3) Protection for individual liberties was not necessary, because the federal government had limited powers Unlike the individual states, which had police power

Federalist Advantages 1) Malapportionment—delegates were disproportionately from the pro-Constitution coastal region 2) Location of Ratifying Conventions—mostly in eastern cities 3) Press—was overwhelmingly pro- Constitution 4) Ease of Organization—Federalists had a geographic advantage

Ratification New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the Constitution in June 1788 But without Virginia and New York—the two most populous states—the new government would not have been able to function The debates in Virginia and New York were extremely contentious, but ultimately both states ratified by narrow margins

Discussion Questions (Extended) Discuss these questions at your table (everyone must speak) For each question, write a summary of your consensus, or an explanation of the dispute if there is disagreement at your table. Questions 1) Did the original Constitution give too much power to the national government at the expense of the states? 2) Was a Bill of Rights necessary in order to secure protection for individual rights? 3) Did the Constitution go to far in accommodating the interests of slave owners?

Exit Ticket What document sought to explain and elaborate on the system of checks and balances that was built into the Constitution? A) The Bill of Rights B) Common Sense C) Federalist #51 D) The Amphicteon Essays

Homework & Reminders Homework: Unit 1 Project Keep working on it Any questions/concerns? Reminder: Faces of Democracy Field Trip Permission Slips are due No Later Than THURSDAY!