Approving the Constitution A Divided Public

Two different reactions Supports of the document called themselves Federalist They chose the name Federalist to emphasize that the Constitution would create a system of Federalism Federalism is a form of government in which power is divided between the federal government and the states

Federalists reminded Americans of the flaws in the Articles of Confederations. They argued that the union would not survive without a strong national Government

Those Opposed Those opposed to the Constitution called themselves Anti-Federalist Anti-Federalist felt that the Constitution gave to much power to the national government and took too much away from the states. They also objected to the absence of a bill of rights.

Anti-Federalist thought the Constitution failed to provide protection for certain individual liberties, such as the freedoms of speech and religion.

Reaching an Agreement Federalist eventually agreed with the Anti-Federalist that a bill of rights was a good idea They promised that if the Constitution was adopted, the new government would add a bill of rights to it. On June 21 1788 New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution.