1. Anti-Federalists v. Federalists

2. Why did the Framers want the people to ratify the Constitution?
The Constitution was far from perfect – the entire four months that the Framers spent creating it were filled with disagreements
A few delegates walked out of the meeting, other refused to sign the document
James Madison was worried that the Constitution would be rejected if Congress or state legislatures were asked to ratify it
Ratify = approve

3. Why did the Framers want the people to ratify the Constitution?
Because the people were going to be asked to follow the Constitution, they needed to approve it
In order for the Constitution to be accepted, nine states needed to ratify the document
The Framers were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to get all 13 states to ratify the document

4. The Federalists Supported the ratification of the Constitution
Asked the states to organize ratifying conventions as quickly as possible
In order to support their view, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote a series of articles for a New York Newspaper
Collectively, they were known as The Federalist Papers
The collection remains the most important explanation of the constitutional government ever written

5. The Anti-Federalists Opposed the ratification of the Constitution
Leaders included: George Mason, Edmund Randolph and Elbridge Gerry
Attended the convention and refused to sign it
John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Richard Henry Lee – all signed the Declaration – but refused to sign the Constitution

6. The Anti-Federalists Most Americans were very suspicious of government
Anti-Federalists were especially suspicious of government in general and a strong national government in particular.
This mistrust was the basis of their opposition to the Constitution
They believed it would be a threat to their natural rights

7. The Debates Debates in the states lasted ten months
They were intense and sometimes bitter political struggles
The most intense arguments were about three basic issues:
Whether the Constitution would maintain republican government (for the people)
Whether the national government would have too much power
Whether the Bill of Rights was needed in the Constitution

8. Does the national government have too much power?
Anti Federalists
National govt. has too much power – the states have too little
The army that is raised by the government could go against the people
Supremacy clause – national govt. is superior to states’ laws – it will destroy the states
Too much power to the executive branch
Bottom line: The national government has too much power!
Federalists
The Articles had a weak national government and it didn’t work!
The Constitution provides protections for states. Any power not listed in the Constitution will be up to the states.
A strong executive branch is necessary – Congress has checks on the use of power by the executive branch
The executive branch can never become a monarchy
Each branch is separate and balanced – no branch can dominate the others.

9. Does the Constitution provide for republican government?
Anti Federalists
Republican governments have only worked in small communities with similar wealth and values – the country is too large and diverse
Free government requires the active participation – the government is too far away from most people
The government will only be able to rule with military force
Federalists
People do not work for the common good – a large republic with powers divided between national and state governments are in the best interest of the people
There are too many limits on the government to create chaos, tyranny
The government is protecting the people – and it will get the respect of the people.

10. Is the Bill of Rights needed for the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists
A bill of rights is necessary to protect people against the power of the national government
There is no mention of freedom of religion, speech, press or assembly
If they aren’t written, the government can violate them
Federalists
A bill of rights is not needed
The Constitution is the ultimate protection for people’s rights and the people are the ultimate sovereigns.
The Constitution has limited power
If a bill of rights is included, the people can expect protection only for the rights listed.

11. Compromise & Ratification
The Federalists agreed to a Bill of Rights in order to get enough support for the Constitution to it would be ratified
They agreed when the first Congress was held, they would draft a Bill of Rights
The Constitution was officially adopted on September 17, 1787
40 of the original 55 delegates signed the document