1. 8.4 Ratification of the Constitution

2. Concerns about the Constitution Fear that the new national government would take away too much power from states (had too much power) Would not protect the rights of individual citizens (Lack of Bill of Rights) * Ben Franklin urges all delegates to sign even if they didn’t agree with all parts (afraid the union would crumble)

3. 39 of 42 Signed!!! Elbridge Gerry (MA), George Mason and Edmund Randolph (VA)- two thought it needed a Bill of Rights- the other wanted to make his own Anti-federalists- those who opposed it (small farmers and debtors) Federalist- supporters of the Constitution

4. The Federalist Papers Defended the constitution Written anonymously (Publius) Later found Alexander Hamilton wrote 50/51 of the essays, James Madison 30/29 and John Jay 5 Assured Americans: states would not be overpowered. Argued the diversity of the United States would prevent any single group from dominating

5. Only 9 states needed to ratified the Constitution!!!!! December 1787- Delaware becomes the first state to ratify By the first half of 1788 these states ratified in this order: PA, NJ, GA, CN, MA, MD, SC and NH (VA, NY, NC and RI did not) The Constitution went into effect June 1788 when NH ratified

6. Bill of Rights- a must (to keep the people happy) Added as an AMENDMENT (official changes, corrections, or additions to the Constitution) Gathered over 200 suggestions to review- After 3 months of debate, Dec. 1791 – 10 were ratified (3/4 approval)- became the Bill of Rights- 1 st 10 amendments