1. A weak Confederation

2. The New Republic Government and “Democracy in America”
Democracy in America was viewed as something that was part of life and customs
The constitution is the foundation to the style of government and the basis for how governments shall act.
The leadership under Washington was very strong and he was someone that commanded respect.

3. Washington had a cabinet of advisors and often times these advisors would create debate
Hamilton wanted to create a national bank that would help create avenues to pay off war debt.
His plan was to create bonds and sell these in order to pay immediate debt while issuing interest to the holders

4. The Ratification Debates in Historical Context
The Ratification debates addressed two questions:
Should the Articles of Confederation be replaced?
If the Articles should be replaced, what should be the features of the new constitution?

5. Arguments against the Articles of Confederation
The national government did not have the power to enforce its own laws-Congress could not effectively regulate trade among states, collect taxes, or try individuals who broke national laws.
The federal government was not given sole power to coin money causing inflation.
Government was unresponsive to changing circumstances. New laws required supermajorities (9 of the 13 states) that were slow and costly to form.
Amendments required unanimity

6. The Constitution “fixed” the Articles, but at what cost?
Anti-Federalists argued that the new Constitution provided insufficient protection for the rights of individuals and states from the powerful new federal government.
Anti-Federalists preferred either
To scrap the national government entirely, or
Keep the Articles as they stood.

7. What was the basis for Anti-Federalist Opposition?
In general, the Anti-Federalists viewed the Constitution as a threat to five cherished values
Law
Political Stability
The Principles of the Declaration of Independence
To Federalism
Anti-Commericalism

8. What’s so special about states’ rights?
Anti-Federalists believed that effective administration could only exist in states with a small territory with a homogenous population.
In large, diverse republics, many significant differences in condition, interest, and habit have to be ignored for the sake of uniform administration.
A large national government would impose uniform rules despite American diversity, resulting in hardship and inequity in many parts of the country.

9. The Federalist Papers
A set of essays, written by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, and published in New York newspapers under the pseudonym Publius.
During the ratification controversy, these essays were circulated nationally.
The essays linked opposition to the new Constitution with hot-headed liberals (Patrick Henry) and those with a vested interest in maintaining a weak government (George Clinton).

10. Four Themes of the Federalist Papers
An explanation of the blessings of national government
An indictment of the Articles of Confederation for failing to provide such a government at the national level
An analysis and defense of the Constitution as an instrument of federalism and governance
An exposition of the costs and benefits of freedom.
 They are essays designed to persuade