1. Difficult Road to Ratification

2. Opposing Sides Battle over ratification was between the Federalist and Anti-federalist. Federalist were in favor of a strong central government Anti-federalist were opposed to the new constitution as drafted

3. Public Relations Federalist Papers – An attempt to persuade the public to support the new form of government. – 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison – Under the pseudonym – Publius ‘friend of the people’ – Best example of political theorizing produced in the U.S.

4. Public Relations Anti-federalist Many strong patriots like Sam Adams and Patrick Henry Claimed the USC was written by aristocrats and would lead to aristocratic tyranny Believed USC would create an overbearing central government hostile to personal liberty Originally doesn’t include Bill of Rights Believed Montesquieu that a republic wasn’t possible on large scale.

5. March to the Finish StateDateForAgainst Delaware12/7/1787300 Pennsylvania12/12/17874323 New Jersey12/18/1787380 Georgia1/2/1788260 Connecticut1/9/178812840 Massachusetts2/6/1788187168 Maryland4/28/17886311 South Carolina5/23/178814973 New Hampshire6/21/17885746 Virginia6/25/17888979 New York7/26/17883027 North Carolina11/21/178919477 Rhode Island5/29/17903432 1068576

6. Did America Support USC? 1913 book – Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of the United States Beard’s Thesis – Produced by wealthy elite to protect their property rights – Imposed by undemocratic means Never a popular vote on whether to hold convention Only white male property owners could vote

7. Did America support the USC? State ratifying conventions: – Only 150,000 people elected delegates to Ratifying conventions (pop – 4 million) Some speculate majority favored Anti- federalist positions Anti-federalist not as well funded as Federalist

8. Support was Probably Widespread Perception that a strong central government was necessary to keep order and protect the public welfare – Common among all classes Need for a strong central government a major point – Crafted a limited government

9. U.S. Constitution U.S. Constitution through its system of checks and balances, favors a limited government over an ‘energetic’ government.

10. Summary Questions Summarize the arguments in favor of adopting the Constitution and those arguments against it. Use half sheet paper to respond to question and turn in before leaving class.