From May to September 1787, the delegates at the Constitutional Convention worked out a framework for a new federal system of government But, this plan for government had to be ratified by 9 states if it was to replace the Articles of Confederation Great chronolony of events in the Constitutional Convention and ratification debate (from constitution.com) http://www.constitution.org/afp/afpchron.htm

Many Americans were concerned about the possibility of tyranny because the Constitution gave more power to the national government over the states

The Anti-Federalists were led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams Those who opposed the Constitution, feared a stronger national gov’t , and wanted states to remain power were called Anti-Federalists The Anti-Federalists were led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams

Patrick Henry, speech in opposition to the Constitution, 1788 “Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men, without a consequent loss of liberty?” Patrick Henry, speech in opposition to the Constitution, 1788

Those who supported the new Constitution and a stronger national gov’t were called the Federalists Federalist leaders James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays called the Federalist Papers to counter the arguments of the Anti-Federalists

“Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government… People must cede some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers.” (Federalist #2) “…the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, the more easily will they execute their plans of oppression. Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will invade the rights of other citizens.” (Federalist #10) “[If the] federal gov’t is entrusted with the care of the common defense…that gov’t ought to be clothed with all the powers requisite to complete execution of its trust.” (Federalist #23)

Some states ratified the Constitution quickly, but states with large majorities of Anti-Federalists refused without a Bill of Rights to protect their liberty New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution which went into effect in 1789, but the Federalists wanted all 13 states to ratify the new gov’t In 1789, the Bill of Rights was introduced and the last two states ratified the Constitution by 1790

The Bill of Rights was approved in 1791

Today, the Constitution is the oldest existing written gov’t in the world and is a model for other nations

Closure Activity: Create a symbol or cartoon that describes the main idea of each amendment