2.  Ratify: To agree to, To sign  Amend: To add to  Veto: To refuse to sign  Bill: Proposed law  Suffrage: Right to vote  Bicameral: Two house congress  Impeachment: Removal from office  Cabinet: Advisors to the President

3.  Congress met in Philadelphia to “revise” the Articles of Confederation. ▪ Every state except Rhode Island sends delegates (55 total) ▪ James Madison kept records of debates ▪ Debates closed to public ▪ Delegates were not allowed to speak about the proceedings outside of the building  The delegates soon decided to “throw out” the articles and write a new document.

7.  In order to make the constitution official, 9 of the 13 states had to approve  Special elections were held  delegates were chosen by voters for a state convention  Those delegates would vote to approve or reject the constitution

8.  Constitution continued debate within the states over states’ rights, individual rights, and functional organization  Broke United States into TWO political parties: Federalists and Anti-Federalists

9.  Federalists  Supported the constitution  Believed a strong central government was needed  Believed separation of powers and check and balances would protect individual freedoms  Antifederalists  Disapproved of the constitution  Believed power should stay with individual states  Believed the Constitution did not go far enough to protect individual freedoms

10.  Led by George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton  Were supported by urban centers and small states  Published a series of essays called “The Federalist”  Analyzed and explained the constitution to voters

11.  Led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams  Supported by rural farmers and large states  Published “Letters from the Federal Farmer” to explain that they believed freedom of the press and religion needed to be protected

12. Federalists Alexander Hamilton  Beliefs in Government  Rule by rich and well educated  New government should favor merchants, manufacturers, and lawyers  Strong central government with a strong president  Favored industry  Wanted strong alliance with Britain  Centralized banking and create debt spending  Cynical  Loose interpretation of the Constitution  The North Anti-Federalists Thomas Jefferson  Beliefs in Government  Rule by everybody  New government should favor farmers, artisans, and poor classes  Weak central government, power given to the states to reflect individual interests  Favored agriculture and farming  Wanted strong alliance with France  Low taxes, small tariffs  Idealistic  Strict interpretation of the Constitution  The South

13. Consider the times and these beliefs: What political party would you support? The Federalists or the Anti-Federalists? Explain your answer.

14.  Antifederalists demanded a Bill of Rights  Federalists yielded, and promised a Bill of Rights would be added if the states ratified the Constitution

15.  After a series of debates, most of the states approved the Constitution  New government became official in 1789

16.  Added to the Constitution in 1791  First 10 Amendments  Secured individual freedoms and limited government power

18.  Did the Convention exceed its authority? If the Convention did exceed its authority, should it have anyway?  Would the United States have been better off if the Virginia Plan had been adopted as presented? If the New Jersey Plan had been adopted?