1. Federalists & Antifederalists

2. The Constitutional Convention ended on September 17 th, 1787.The Constitutional Convention ended on September 17 th, 1787. To become the new form of government, 9 of the 13 states had to ratify the Constitution.To become the new form of government, 9 of the 13 states had to ratify the Constitution. The States called together conventions to vote on ratification. The 2/3s majority needed for ratification was gained by June 21 st, 1788.The States called together conventions to vote on ratification. The 2/3s majority needed for ratification was gained by June 21 st, 1788. By the start of the summer of 1788, two of the largest states had yet to ratify, New York & Virginia.By the start of the summer of 1788, two of the largest states had yet to ratify, New York & Virginia.

3. Federalists & antifederalists Federalists:Federalists: Supported the Constitution.Supported the Constitution. Supported a strong central government.Supported a strong central government. Believed all the individual liberties of the people were supported by the Constitution.Believed all the individual liberties of the people were supported by the Constitution. Antifederalists:Antifederalists: Did not support the Constitution.Did not support the Constitution. Believed the Constitution gave too much power to the Federal government and left state governments with few rights and powers.Believed the Constitution gave too much power to the Federal government and left state governments with few rights and powers. Feared the powers of the executive branch.Feared the powers of the executive branch. Wanted a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.Wanted a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.

4. Federalists & antifederalists The Federalists:The Federalists: Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton James MadisonJames Madison John JayJohn Jay The Antifederalists:The Antifederalists: Patrick HenryPatrick Henry George MasonGeorge Mason Edmund RandolphEdmund Randolph James MonroeJames Monroe

5. Alexander Hamilton

6. James Madison

7. John Jay

8. Patrick Henry

9. George Mason

10. Edmund Randolph

11. James Monroe

12. The federalist papers To help support ratification of the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published a series of essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers.To help support ratification of the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published a series of essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers. The Federalist papers explained the Constitution to citizens and defended its ratification.The Federalist papers explained the Constitution to citizens and defended its ratification. Considered one of the greatest political documents ever written.Considered one of the greatest political documents ever written.

13. The Federalist Papers "[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81"[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 81 "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite." --James Madison, Federalist No. 45"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite." --James Madison, Federalist No. 45

14. The antifederalists The Virginia Convention (June 1788): Patrick Henry and James Madison launched into a passionate debate on the Constitution.The Virginia Convention (June 1788): Patrick Henry and James Madison launched into a passionate debate on the Constitution. Antifederalists demanded a bill of rights to protect the natural rights of citizens.Antifederalists demanded a bill of rights to protect the natural rights of citizens. Demanded that the powers of the executive be limited.Demanded that the powers of the executive be limited.

15. Patrick Henry This [Article 3 of the Virginia Declaration of Rights], sir, is the language of democracy—that a majority of the community have a right to alter government when found to be oppressive. But how different is the genius of your new Constitution from this! How different from the sentiments of freemen that a contemptible minority can prevent the good of the majority! If, then, gentlemen standing on this ground are come to that point, that they are willing to bind themselves and their posterity to be oppressed, I am amazed and inexpressibly astonished. If this be the opinion of the majority, I must submit; but to me, sir, it appears perilous and destructive.…This [Article 3 of the Virginia Declaration of Rights], sir, is the language of democracy—that a majority of the community have a right to alter government when found to be oppressive. But how different is the genius of your new Constitution from this! How different from the sentiments of freemen that a contemptible minority can prevent the good of the majority! If, then, gentlemen standing on this ground are come to that point, that they are willing to bind themselves and their posterity to be oppressed, I am amazed and inexpressibly astonished. If this be the opinion of the majority, I must submit; but to me, sir, it appears perilous and destructive.… -Patrick Henry (Virginia Convention 1788)

16. Results At the Virginia debate, Antifederalists decided to support the constitution when Federalists promised a bill of rights.At the Virginia debate, Antifederalists decided to support the constitution when Federalists promised a bill of rights. Virginia ratified by June 1788, New York by July 1788, North Carolina in November 1789, and Rhode Island in May 1790.Virginia ratified by June 1788, New York by July 1788, North Carolina in November 1789, and Rhode Island in May 1790. George Washington become the nations first President on April 30 th, 1789 in New York City.George Washington become the nations first President on April 30 th, 1789 in New York City. One of the first objectives of the new Congress was to create a bill of rights.One of the first objectives of the new Congress was to create a bill of rights.