RATIFICATION Chapter 5 Section 3

Amending the constitution The delegates realized that the Constitution might need to be amended or changed. Made the process difficult Amendment could be proposed by either 2/3rds members of both houses or 2/3rds of states calling constitutional convention. Could be ratified by 3/4ths of the states legislatures or convention of 3/4th of the states convention.

FEDERALISTS Supporters of the Constitution Chose name carefully Supporters were landowners, merchants & artisans in large cities, farmers near the coast

ANTI-FEDERALISTS Knew there was need for national gov’t but weren’t sure if it should take precedent over state gov’t Wanted a bill of rights Western farmers

“THE FEDERALIST” The anti federalists had many things against them including negative campaign, bad organization & they offered nothing to replace Constitution The Federalist was a collection of 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay summarizing arguments for ratification, Used today to help people understand framers intentions.

RATIFICATION IN MA, VA, & NY DE, PA, NJ, GA, CONN already ratified Opponents had majority in MA Promised bill of rights, and amend to support state powers MD, SC & NH also ratified made min # of states Worried w/o VA & NY new gov’t would fail VA came around w/promise of bill of rights NY finally ratified, eventually NC and RI