1. Class Starter
What were important weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
What led to Shays’ Rebellion?
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
What compromise led to the including of slaves in a state’s population count and gave the south greater representation in Congress?

2. Ratification of the Constitution
George Mason
Ratification of the Constitution
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

3. Two factions (opposing groups) emerged:
After the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, the fight for Ratification began.
9 out of 13 states had to ratify the Constitution before it would go into effect.
Two factions (opposing groups) emerged:
Federalists who supported the Constitution
Anti-Federalists who opposed to the Constitution
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

4. Federalists Anti-Federalists Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Supported removing some powers from the states and giving more power to the national government.
Wanted important political powers to remain with the states.
Favored dividing powers among different branches of government.
Wanted the legislative branch to have more power than the executive.
Proposed a single person to lead the executive branch.
Feared that a strong executive might become a king or tyrant.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights
Felt the Constitution was sound and protected the rights of the states and citizens without a Bill of Rights
Believed a Bill of Rights needed to be added to the Constitution to protect people’s rights.
Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, James Madison were a Federalists
Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Mason were an Anti-federalists

5. Federalists Took name “Federalists” show link to “Federalism”
John Jay, James Madison, & Alexander Hamilton wrote letters under the pen name “Publius” (public) to answer Anti-Federalists charges against the Constitution.
These letters are called “The Federalist Papers”.
In the spirit of compromise agreed to adding a Bill of Rights, to get the document ratified.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

6. Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists published their views in pamphlets and newspapers.
Arguments made by Anti-Federalists
The Constitutional Convention went beyond what they were charged to do. (illegal-Treason)
A strong national government would destroy states’ rights.
Resembled a monarchy with its concentration of power
Did not have a Bill of Rights
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

7. The Federalist Papers
77 articles published in the Independent from Oct 1787 to April more published later. 52 were written by Alexander Hamilton, 28 were written by James Madison, and 5 were written by John Jay.
Arguments made by The Federalist Papers
Stressed inadequacy of the A.O.C (# 2-4)
Argued the need for the government to be able to tax and provide for national defense (# 15-36)
Explain separation of powers and checks and balances (#47-51)
Explain the "conformity of the proposed Constitution to the true principles of republican government". (#37-84)
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

8. In the spirit of compromise, the Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights which helped the document to be ratified.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the document on December 7, 1787.
New Hampshire was the 9th and decisive state, ratifying the Constitution on June 21, 1788.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

9. New York and Virginia were important to ratification because they would geographically splinter the new nation. They were locked in a bitter battle over ratification, but the Federalists prevailed in convincing them to ratify the document.
North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the Constitution when they approved the document on November 21, Rhode Island was the last to ratify in 1790.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

10. 1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

11. The Bill of Rights is first 10 amendments to the US constitution.
The Bill of Rights was the first test of the amendment process outlined in Article 5 of the Constitution.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

12. The Article lays out two ways to amend a document.
Step 1: 2/3rd of both houses, or Conventions in 2/3rd of the states propose an amendment (Proposal)
Step 2: 3/4th of state legislatures or special conventions in each state ratifies the amendment (Ratification )
10 of 12 proposed amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

13. Amendments
1st Amendment: 5 Freedoms – religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech.
Establishment Clause: government can not establish a state religion.
Free exercise Clause: citizens can worship (or not) any way they choose.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

14. 2nd Amendment: right to bear arms.
3rd Amendment: government can’t ask you to quarter soldiers.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

15. 4th Amendment: protection against search and seizure
Police need search warrant or probable cause
5th Amendment: due process of law, right to remain silent, indictment by a grand jury, double jeopardy, and eminent domain (rights of person’s accused of a crime)
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

16. 6th Amendment: right to a speedy, fair, and public trial of your peers, right to a lawyer/attorney/ counsel, right to confront witnesses, right to bring witnesses to testify on your behalf. (more rights of the accused)
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

17. 7th Amendment: right to a jury trial in civil cases more than $20.00.
8th Amendment: right to apply for bail, no cruel or unusual punishment
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

18. 9th Amendment: All powers not listed in the constitution belong to the People.
10th Amendment: All powers not listed in Constitution belong to states or the people.
1SS-E17. Describe the aspirations, ideals, and events that served as the foundation for the creation of a new national government, with emphasis on:
PO 4. Struggles over ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights

20. Bill of Rights Drawings
Fold a blank sheet of white paper according to the directions of your teacher.
Illustrate (draw, label and color) amendments from the Bill of Rights.
Regular students will draw at least 6 Bill of Rights amendments and Honors students will draw at least 8 Bill of Rights amendments