1. Debate and Adoption

2. Adoption
9 states had to ratify, approve, Constitution before it could go into effect

3. Federalists People who supported the Constitution
James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton wrote a set of essays, Federalist Papers, in which they explained and defended the Constitution

4. Anti-Federalists Opposed the Constitution
Afraid a strong national government would take away freedoms
Wanted local governments to have more power

5. Bill of Rights
Strongest criticism of Constitution was that it lacked a Bill of Rights
Several states announced they would not approve without one

6. Ratification
December 7, 1787 – Delaware becomes first state to approve the Constitution
June 21, 1788 – New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify – makes Constitution law

7. but without support of largest states (New York and Virginia) new government could not succeed
Virginia ratifies after a promise to add an amendment (something added to a document) for the Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights added in 1791