1. Ratifying the Constitution
Chapter 5 Section 3

2. Ratification Process
Americans shocked by the radical changes of the new Constitution
Each state called for a Convention where delegates voted to accept or reject the new Constitution.
Ratification – official approval required agreement of nine states.

3. For or Against? Federalists – supporters of the Constitution.
Believed division of powers and the system of checks and balances would protect from the tyranny.
Anti-Federalists- Non-supporters of the Constitution.
Believed the Constitution lacked protection for individual rights

4. Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Leading Federalists:
George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
Leading Anti-Federalists:
Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry.

5. War of Words
Both sides waged a war of words in the public debate over ratification.
The Federalist, was a series of 85 essays defending the Constitution.
Letters from the Federal Framer, most widely read Anti-Federalist publication.

6. Bill of Rights
Constitution did not guarantee the gov’t would protect the rights of the people/states
Thomas Jefferson felt this was the drawback to ratification.
People demanded a Bill of Rights that guaranteed the freedom of speech, press, religion, trial by jury and bear arms.

7. Ratification of the Constitution
Delaware led the country in ratifying it in Dec. of 1787 and it was finally ratified by all states in 1790.
Sept. 1789, Congress submitted 12 amendments for states’ ratification
Dec. 1791, ¾ of the states ratified 10 of the amendments, which became known as the Bill of Rights.