AP A MERICAN G OVERNMENT Unit 3: The States, Ratification through Civil War

R ATIFICATION Sent to the States When 9 ratified, it would become law of the land in those States No expiration date for ratification no rules on how States should ratify All States chose democratically elected conventions. Immediate Ratification Delaware (30-0) Pennsylvania (46-23) New Jersey (38-0) Georgia (26-0) Connecticut (128-40)

R ATIFICATION First Contested – February, 1788 – Massachusetts Rise of Anti-Federalists – worried about religious freedoms and minority protections John Hancock and Sam Adams (both Anti-Federalists) support conditional ratification after compromise of Bill of Rights to be added within four years Final Vote:

R ATIFICATION With Massachusetts guarantee of Bill of Rights… Maryland, South Carolina and New Hampshire Total of 9 states had now ratified – planning for government elections Virginia and New York Both States had the strongest Anti-Federalist factions Arguments against ratification Bill of Rights Issues Taxation Issues Loss of State independence Constitution would only protect the already wealthy

R ATIFICATION The Federalist Papers 90 editorials written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison Main points A Bill of Rights would be adopted The separation of powers and the many checks and balances would keep central government power restrained Several factions would always check the majority States were guaranteed numerous “reserved powers” to guarantee existence and power

R ATIFICATION Virginia and New York George Washington Virginia ratifies in July, 1788: New York ratified two weeks later: North Carolina officially ratifies on 21 November 1789 after Bill of Rights passed by Congress and sent to the States Rhode Island ratifies on 29 May 1790 after Senate “join or die” letter and President Washington’s implied threat of military action