1. Ratification of the Constitution
Chapter 8 Section 4
Ratification of the Constitution

2. Amendments Official changes
26th Amendment
The United States was in the throes of the Vietnam War and protests were underway throughout the nation. Draftees into the armed services were any male over the age of 18. However: these young men were allowed, even forced, to fight and die for their country, but they were unable to vote. The 14th Amendment only guaranteed the vote to those over twenty-one.The Congress attempted to right this wrong in 1970 by passing an extension to the 1965 Voting Rights Act that gave the vote to all persons 18 or older, in all elections, on all levels. On March 23, 1971, after a major Supreme Court battle Congress passed the text of the 26th Amendment, specifically setting a national voting age, in both state and national elections, to 18.

3. Federalists and Antifederalists
Opposed the Constitution (Patrick Henry)
Why?- There was no Bill of Rights
- They thought the Government would be too powerful
Federalists-
Supported the Constitution

4. Federalists Papers Federalists papers- (85 Total)
Important argument for the Constitution
Written under the name- Publius
Real Authors - Alexander Hamilton
- James Madison
- John Jay
They told that-
The new government would not overpower the States

5. The Ratification Fight
How many States to ratify? 9
States had-
Conventions to discuss ratifying the Const.
December 7, Delaware was the first to ratify the Constitution

6. First 9 Ratifying States
Date State Votes Yes No 1. December 7, Delaware December 12, 1787 Pennsylvania December 18, 1787 New Jersey January 2, 1788 Georgia January 9, 1788 Connecticut February 6,1788 Massachusetts April 28, 1788 Maryland May 23, 1788 South Carolina June 21, 1788 New Hampshire

7. The Ratification Fight
June, 1788-
New Hampshire was the 9th to ratify
Who didn’t ratify-
Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island

9. Demanding a Bill of Rights
Two reasons why Federalists didn’t want a Bill of Rights:
- The States already promised such rights
- The Constitution itself was a Bill of Rights

10. Demanding a Bill of Rights
Article V-
Provided a way to change the document
Amendments would-
Reflect the will of the people

11. Amendment Process 2/3 of both houses to approve
3/4 of the States to ratify
December, 1791-
10 Amendments were ratified
First 10 Amendments = Bill of Rights