2.  Supporters of the Constitution and a “federal” government.  Expressed the need of a strong national government.  Federalism would give shared power to the national government and the states.

3.  Those who did not support the Constitution.  Felt that the Constitution:  Took too much power from the states  Didn’t guarantee rights for the people Wouldn’t support the Constitution until the Bill of Rights (The 1 st 10 amendments) was added.

4.  Essays written by federalists promoting the ratification of the Constitution.  By writing the essays, federalists hoped to persuade everyone to agree upon the idea of ratifying the Constitution.  Key writers are James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

5.  Ratify means “to approve”.  The US Constitution needed 9 out of 13 states to ratify it before it would take effect.  The Constitution was officially ratified by all 13 states in 1791.