1. Ratification Process of the US Constitution
Level 1
Ratification Process of the US Constitution

2. Vocabulary Ratification: process of approving or accepting
Federalist Papers: a collection of papers expressing the need for a strong central government
Federalists: wanted a strong central government
Anti-Federalists: wanted a weak central government

3. Essential Questions
What were the main debates about during the ratification process of the Constitution?
How did leadership influence the ratification of the Constitution?

4. 1. The Debates in the States:
Debate (talks about a disagreement) about the amount of power the states and federal government should have
Debate about no rights being listed in the Constitution like a Bill of Rights

5. 2. The Federalist Papers
Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Newspaper articles that defended the Constitution
Won support for the Constitution by the states

6. 3. Poughkeepsie Convention (June 1788)
Purpose: decide whether or not to accept the Constitution
9 states had already ratified but NY was an important state due to trade
a. Federalists—Hamilton: wanted the adoption of the Constitution and a more powerful central government.
b. Anti-Federalists—Governor Clinton: against the ratification of the Constitution; wanted a weak central government
It was ratified
source

7. 3. Disagreements Federalist Arguments: Anti-Federalist Arguments
Wanted the Constitution because:
It gave government power to work correctly
Protected rights of states
Against the Constitution because:
National government was stronger than the states
President had too much power
Afraid future president would not be as good as Washington
No Bill of Rights

8. 4. Formal Ratification of the Constitution and Launching of the New Government:
9 states ratified it and it became the new “Law of the Land”.
Picture:

9. 5. The Personal Leadership of Washington
Elected President of the Constitutional Convention
Became the first President of the United States

10. 5. The Personal Leadership of Franklin
Part of a committee to create compromise
Senior delegate to the convention
Urged the delegates to sign and pass the Constitution
"If a property representation takes place, the small states contend their liberties will be in danger. If an equality of votes takes place, the large states say their money will be in danger. When a broad table is to be made, and the planks do not fit, the artist takes a little from both, and makes a good joint.“ Ben Franklin

11. 5. The Personal Leadership of Hamilton
Encouraged NYS and delegates from other states to ratify the Constitution
Helped write the Federalist Papers

12. 5. The Personal Leadership of Madison
Took the minutes (notes) of the convention
Helped write the Federalist Papers
Agreed with the Virginia plan
Encouraged Virginia to ratify the Constitution
Proposed the Bill of Rights

13. Essential Questions
What were the main debates about during the ratification process of the Constitution?
How did leadership influence the ratification of the Constitution?