Ratification of the Constitution

A.) The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to read A.) The Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets for all American’s to read The framers knew it would cause controversy The framers knew it would cause controversy B.) Explained the constitution was based on federalism: B.) Explained the constitution was based on federalism: Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power) Federal & state governments have separate powers (share power)

9 of the 13 states approve the Constitution for ratification C.) 9 of the 13 states had to approve the Constitution for ratification Led to many different opinions about what a government should & should not do Led to many different opinions about what a government should & should not do

Two political groups formed out of the debates: Federalist: For ConstitutionFederalist: For ratifying the Constitution Anti-Federalist: Against ConstitutionAnti-Federalist: Against ratifying the Constitution Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay Patrick Henry George Mason Richard Henry Lee

FederalistsAnti-Federalists Wanted to remove powers from states & give to the national government Wanted to remove powers from states & give to the national government political matters should remain with the states Important political matters should remain with the states Divide powers among separate branches Divide powers among separate branches of government Legislative branch more powerful than executive Legislative branch more powerful than executive branch One person to lead One person to lead the executive branch Strong executive branch would lead to a king or tyrant Had the support of most newspapers Bill of Rights needed Bill of Rights needed for protection

Informed Public Federalist Stance Federalist Papers Federalist Papers by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay – Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay – Published anonymously under pen name “Publius” – Series of 85 essays supporting the Constitution – Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York newspapers supporting the Constitution Use of political cartoons to follow the ratification – “The Federal Pillars” published in the Massachusetts Centinel

Published pamphlets to convince American’s Constitution destroyed basic libertiesPublished pamphlets to convince American’s that the Constitution destroyed basic liberties: freedom of press, religious tolerance, right to a trial by jury George Mason - George Mason - concept of inalienable rights influenced Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence -Member of the Constitutional Convention did not sign the constitution -Member of the Constitutional Convention, advocated strong local gov’t & weak central gov’t, did not sign the constitution Patrick Henry - fought against ratification Patrick Henry -did not attend the Constitutional Convention b/c “smelled a rat” & fought against ratification

A.) James Madison proposed amendments (changes) to the Constitution A.) James Madison proposed amendments (changes) to the Constitution first 10 amendments a the Bill of Rights 1.) The first 10 amendments added to the end of the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights a.) Protect people from the federal gov’t a.) Protect the people from the power of the federal gov’t

6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of /17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval 9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval /7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of /12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of /6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of /26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of /23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of /26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of /29/1790 – Rhode Island, only state not to send delegates to Convention, ratifies Constitution with a vote of November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place 4/14/1789 – President George Washington takes oath of office 9/25/1789 – James Madison proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution 12/15/1791 – 10 of the 12 amendments are ratified & become the Bill of Rights 11/21/1789 – North Carolina ratifies Constitution, after several failed attempts to hold a convention, with a vote of /18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of /31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of /9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of /2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution 6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of March 1789 – First Congress convenes in New York