Debate and Adoption

Adoption 9 states had to ratify, approve, Constitution before it could go into effect

Federalists People who supported the Constitution James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton wrote a set of essays, Federalist Papers, in which they explained and defended the Constitution

Anti-Federalists Opposed the Constitution Afraid a strong national government would take away freedoms Wanted local governments to have more power

Bill of Rights Strongest criticism of Constitution was that it lacked a Bill of Rights Several states announced they would not approve without one

Ratification December 7, 1787 – Delaware becomes first state to approve the Constitution June 21, 1788 – New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify – makes Constitution law

but without support of largest states (New York and Virginia) new government could not succeed Virginia ratifies after a promise to add an amendment (something added to a document) for the Bill of Rights Bill of Rights added in 1791