The Bill of Rights

Despite the Federalist Papers, most New Yorkers, North Carolinians, Virginians, and Rhode Islanders agreed to ratify the Constitution only if the document was amended to include a list of undeniable rights and liberties of the people.

 The new Congress kept its promise to do so and in 1791 established a committee to draft a Bill of Rights.

 The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.  The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms.  The Fifth and Sixth Amendments guarantee the right of every person to trial by jury and safeguard the rights of the accused.

 The Ninth Amendment stipulates that the Bill of Rights is not an exhaustive list and that the American people have rights beyond than those expressly stated in the Constitution.  Finally, the Tenth Amendment states that all powers not granted to the new federal government are reserved for the individual states and the people.

POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR AFFECT ON AMERICA

1. Federalists a. led by Alexander Hamilton b. considered loose constructionists. c. were willing to stretch the Constitution via interpretation. d. supported strong national government. e. considered elitist.

2. Anti-federalists a. followers of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. b. Strict constructionists. c. Constitution should be followed to the letter. d. supported federalism and states rights.

 1. Hamilton wanted a powerful nation with a balanced economy of agriculture, trade, finance, and manufacturing,.  2. He thought that the major weakness of the Confederation had been its inability to raise money. He wanted to gain the support of financial leaders for the new governments.

 3. Hamilton believed that people in the masses were not to be trusted because they acted “foolishly and needed a strong government to tell them what to do. Only the rich, the educated and the well born were the only people who counted.” He feared that if the common people got too much power, they might endanger private property.

 1. Jefferson had a deep faith in the common people: “those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God.”  2. Felt that city life corrupted people through ignorance and poverty.

 3. Favored a weak central government and strong state governments.  4. Viewed the American nation as a land of small independent farmers and educated leaders working together in perfect harmony.

 Were written and published during the years 1787 and 1788  Were meant to persuade New Yorker voters to ratify the proposed constitution.  Total of 85 essays  Hamilton wrote 52, Madison wrote 28, Jay wrote 5.

 They contain warnings of danger from tyranny  That weaknesses in the proposed Const. did not adequately provide protection  While the Bill of Rights helped

 Drew on the widespread feeling that the Articles had serious flaws.  United around a specific plan—the constitution  Were a well organized national group  They had George Washington