1. Writing the Constitution

2. Federalists vs. Anti Federalists
Supporters of the New Constitution – wanted stronger national government
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Anti-Federalists:
Opposed ratification of the new Constitution
Didn’t trust strong central government.
New Constitution didn’t protect individual freedoms
1. Would take away liberties
2. Create a strong central government
Ignore the will of the people
Want Bill of Rights added to Constitution.
Leaders:
George Mason Patrick Henry Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson

3. Anti-Federalists
Argued that states’ rights should remain powerful – Revolution was fought to get away from strong central government – Constitution should protect individual rights
Patrick Henry
Very opposed to the idea of a stronger national government
Refused to attend the Philadelphia Convention.
George Mason
Leader of the Anti-Federalists
Delegate from Virginia at the Constitutional Convention
Believed in the need to restrict governmental power and support protection of individual rights in order to prevent government abuse

4. Federalists Stronger national government Alexander Hamilton
Delegate from New York at Constitutional Convention
Wanted to go beyond the stated powers of the Constitution
James Madison
“Father of the Constitution”
Authored the first 10 Amendments to compromise with the Anti-Federalists

5. Federalist Papers
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay wrote a series of essays known as the Federalist Papers
Their purpose was to explain/defend/ratify the Constitution
Published anonymously
Written to put down fears of strong central government.

6. Argument Resolved
Addition of Bill of Rights – to protect individual rights
1st: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition
2nd: Bear arms
3rd: No quartering troops during times of peace
4th: Search and seizure
5th: Right to due process, not to be tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy), and not to testify against yourself
6th: Right to speedy public trial, right to trial by jury, right to an attorney
7th: Right to trial by jury in civil trials
8th: Right not to have excessive bail and/or punishment
9th: Rights of the people
10th: Rights to the states

7. Signing the Constitution
Struggling with difficult questions
September 17, 1787 – Constitution ready
Preamble expressed goals
“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…”
All but 3 delegates signed
Edmund Randolph
George Mason
Elbridge Gerry
Feared gave too much power to national government

8. Ratification
June 21, 1788
New Hampshire, the 9th state signed the constitution putting into effect the new government.
There were still states that had not ratified. This threatened the outcome of the new Gov.

9. Modeled after English Bill of Rights
Amendments
Before any of the states would sign the Constitution, the delegates wanted a way to amend the Constitution in order for it to grow with the times and the country
Bill of Rights
1st Amendment
2nd Amendment
3rd Amendment
4th Amendment
5th Amendment
6th Amendment
7th Amendment
8th Amendment
9th Amendment
10th Amendment
Modeled after English Bill of Rights

10. Influences from Historical Documents
Magna Carta (1215) – Limited the power of the King
Constitution limits the power of the central government
Mayflower Compact (1620) – self governing and majority rule
Federalist Papers – support ratification of the Constitution
Strong central government with separated powers and system of checks & balances
Anti-Federalist writings – opposed Constitution
Lacked protection of individual rights
Bill of Rights added to protect those rights

11. **5th: Rights of the accused**
Grievances Addressed
Taxation Without Representation
King has absolute power
Colonists not allowed to speak out against King
Quartering Act
Home searched without warrants
No trial by jury of peers
All states have representation in Congress, which sets taxes
Congress has power to override Presidential veto
1st : Freedom of Speech
3rd: No Quartering troops
4th: No unwarranted search/seizure
6th & 7th: speedy and public trial, and trial by jury
**5th: Rights of the accused**