Lesson 3- Convincing the People

Have you ever had a brilliant idea Have you ever had a brilliant idea?! Then, when you shared your idea with a friend or family member, they did not feel the idea was that great? Go around your table and share your stories one at a time! Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.

After many long, hot, summer days and heated debates in Philadelphia, the 39 remaining delegates (some left in protest!) finally signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Now, they needed the states to ratify it! 9 out of the 13 states had to agree to the Constitution in order to make it official. The delegates needed to convince the states that the Constitution would be better than the Articles of Confederation.

The Debate Over Federalism It was tough to convince the people. Many thought the Constitution would lead to more tyranny. The people that argued for the Constitution were called Federalists. The people that argued against the Constitution were called Anti-Federalists.

The Anti-Federalists Did not like the Constitution. They wanted a strong state government and a limited plan for the federal government. Feared that the Constitution would lead to a set of tyrants, like King George, ruling the states. Wanted a Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights-a list of rights guaranteed or promised to individual Americans.

The Anti-Federalists George Mason is an Anti-Federalist that argued for a Bill of Rights and refused to sign the Constitution when one was not spelled out.

The Federalists Supported the new Constitution. They were confident that the government would not become too powerful because the Constitution divided powers among 3 branches. They did not think the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights.

The Federalists Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were all Federalists. These men wrote The Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers was a document that explained why federalism would solve the nations problems.

Stop! Take about 5 minutes to silently read pages 218-219 in your textbook. Think about the similarities and differences between Federalists and Anti-Federalists and fill in the Venn Diagram on page 219.

Stop! Now you have some background information about what the Federalists wanted the Constitution to be like and what the Anti-Federalists wanted the Constitution to be like. With a table partner, use the chrome book to research famous Federalists and Anti-Federalists (you already know that George Mason was an Anti-Federalist and Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison were Federalists). Why did these people choose the side they chose? Make a t-chart on the poster provided to you and write your notes. Using the information you gathered, coordinate a rap battle with your table. 2 of you should be the Federalists and 2 of you should be Anti-Federalists. Be ready to share! Good luck!

Ratifying the Constitution The Federalists’ won over many people in the 13 states. Between September 1787 and May 1788, eight states ratified the Constitution. (Remember, they needed 9 states!) In June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists Hold Out New York and Virginia were two states that did not ratify the Constitution. They were the biggest states in the nation and had large groups of Anti-Federalists. The people in these states demanded a Bill of Rights! James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (Federalists) feared that the Constitution would fail without the support of New York and Virginia. So, James Madison agreed to add a Bill of Rights if New York and Virginia voted to ratify the Constitution.

Stop! With your table, reread pages 220-221. Shade in the map on page 220 using the designated colors. We will check together.