1. In 1787, citizens from every state began to debate the Constitution closely. They had to decide whether or not to

ratify a new form of government in the United States. Critics, however, had one big concern. What was it?

 

The Constitution, as it was written The Constitution, as it was written at this point had NO BILL OF at this point had NO BILL OF RIGHTS! RIGHTS!

2. Where was the first place the framers sent the Constitution? Who wrote a letter that was sent with it?

The framers sent the The framers sent the Constitution to Congress along Constitution to Congress along with a letter from George with a letter from George Washington. Washington.

Like, you guys should totally read this

Constitution. It’s, like all awesome and stuff. Like,

tell your friends and ratify it man!

Like, you guys should totally read this

Constitution. It’s, like all awesome and stuff. Like,

tell your friends and ratify it man!

3. According to Washington’s letter, what did the framers of the Constitution struggle with?

In his letter, In his letter, Washington told Washington told Congress that that the Congress that that the framers struggled to framers struggled to make the Constitution make the Constitution meet the varied meet the varied needs of the different needs of the different states. states.

 4. In his letter to Congress, what did Washington say the

Constitution would “promote”?

Washington warmly endorsed Washington warmly endorsed the document and called on the document and called on Congress to support it. It was Congress to support it. It was his belief, he said, that the his belief, he said, that the Constitution would “promote Constitution would “promote the lasting welfare of the the lasting welfare of the country so dear to us all, and country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and secure her freedom and happiness.” happiness.”

I cannot tell a lie.

I cannot tell a lie.

5. In order for the Constitution to go into effect, how many of the states had to ratify

it?

9 of the 13 states had to 9 of the 13 states had to ratify the Constitution before ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect.it could go into effect.

Heate

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1. What was the main difference between federalists and anti-federalists?

 

Federalists supported the Federalists supported the Constitution and favored a Constitution and favored a strong central government. strong central government.

Anti-federalists were opposed to Anti-federalists were opposed to the Constitution and generally the Constitution and generally favored a government where the favored a government where the states held most of the power.states held most of the power.

The Federalist Position

Alexander Hamilton

1. What was the federalist argument against the Articles of Confederation?

 

Federalists argues that the Articles Federalists argues that the Articles of Confederation made the U.S. of Confederation made the U.S. government much too weak. government much too weak.

This was dangerous because the This was dangerous because the states would have too much states would have too much power, leaving the federal power, leaving the federal government without the authority government without the authority to function properly. to function properly.

1. According to the federalists, what did the Constitution give the national government the authority to do? What

did it also do for the states?  

The Constitution gave the government the The Constitution gave the government the authority to function effectively while authority to function effectively while protecting the rights of individual states. protecting the rights of individual states.

1. Name three well-known federalists. What do we call the series of essays they wrote about their position?

 

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jayand John Jay

The Federalist PapersThe Federalist Papers Discussed the political theory behind Discussed the political theory behind

the American system of government.the American system of government.

The Anti-federalist Position 

Patrick Henry George Mason Richard Henry Lee

Why were anti-federalists opposed to the Constitution?

The Constitution made the federal The Constitution made the federal government too strong and the states government too strong and the states too weak.too weak.

Patrick Henry:Patrick Henry: concerns about the power of the concerns about the power of the

President.President. No Bill Rights No Bill Rights

According to anti-federalists, the Constitution gave what government position too much power. Although they

liked Washington, what did they fear would happen after he left office?

Anti-federalists admired Anti-federalists admired Washington, but they warned that Washington, but they warned that future Presidents might lack future Presidents might lack Washington’s honor and skill. For Washington’s honor and skill. For this reason, they said, the office this reason, they said, the office should not be too powerful. should not be too powerful.

Need for a Bill of Rights

What was the chief (#1) argument used by anti-federalists (against the Constitution)?

What was the federalist response to the anti-federalist argument mentioned in

question #7 above?

o No Bill of Rights? No Bill of Rights? Federalists argued that a Bill Federalists argued that a Bill

of Rights was not needed of Rights was not needed because man had too many because man had too many natural rights to list. natural rights to list.

Anti-federalists argued that Anti-federalists argued that without a Bill of Rights to refer to, without a Bill of Rights to refer to, some of those natural rights would some of those natural rights would be ignored. be ignored.

QUITEINEXCUSABLE

QUITEINEXCUSABLE

The States Vote to Ratify

Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution?

Ratified Dec. 7, 1787

Delaware – Dec. 7, 1787

Pennsylvania – Dec.12, 1787

New Jersey – Dec. 19, 1787

Georgia – Jan. 2, 1788

1. Which state was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution? What was special about being the ninth

state to ratify it?  

1. Who led the anti-federalist argument against the Constitution in the state of Virginia? Why did he

argue against it?  

Patrick Henry of Virginia Patrick Henry of Virginia strongly opposed the strongly opposed the Constitution. He thought the Constitution. He thought the document gave the federal document gave the federal government too much power. government too much power.

No checks & balances?No checks & balances?

1. Which state was the last state to approve the Constitution?

 

The Nation Celebrates

What unusual natural phenomenon lit up the skies over Philadelphia during the city’s celebration of the

Constitution?

The aurora borealis (The The aurora borealis (The Northern Lights)!Northern Lights)!

According to Benjamin Rush, a Philadelphia doctor, what did America become now that the Constitution “’Tis

done?’

Adding a Bill of Rights – 1789 at 1st Congress

 

When was the first Presidential election under the Constitution? Who became President? Who was Vice-

President?

January 1789January 1789

George Washington George Washington becomes the first becomes the first President of the President of the United States. United States.

John Adams is the first John Adams is the first Vice-President.Vice-President.

What city became the first capital of the United States?

The Amendment Process

The framers purposely made the Constitution difficult to amend. Describe the amendment process.

o The Amendment ProcessThe Amendment Process An amendment must be proposedAn amendment must be proposed

2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose 2/3 of both houses of Congress can propose an amendment OR 2/3 the states can propose an amendment OR 2/3 the states can propose one. one.

¾ of the states must approve the amendment ¾ of the states must approve the amendment for it to become part of the Constitutionfor it to become part of the Constitution

1. Since the Constitution was written, how many times has it been amended?

 

The First Ten Amendments AND Protecting Individual Rights

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? Who wrote them? Briefly describe each of

the first ten amendments.

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights:: Amendment #1Amendment #1: Freedoms of Speech, Press, Assembly, : Freedoms of Speech, Press, Assembly,

and Petition.and Petition. #2 – Right to Bear Arms (w/militia)#2 – Right to Bear Arms (w/militia) #3 – No Lodging of Troops in Private Homes (w/o consent)#3 – No Lodging of Troops in Private Homes (w/o consent) #4 – No Illegal Searches and Seizures#4 – No Illegal Searches and Seizures #5 – Rights of the Accused#5 – Rights of the Accused #6 – Right to Speedy Trial by Jury#6 – Right to Speedy Trial by Jury #7 – Jury Trial in Civil Cases#7 – Jury Trial in Civil Cases #8 – Bail and Punishment (No excessive bail or cruel and #8 – Bail and Punishment (No excessive bail or cruel and

unusual punishment)unusual punishment) #9 – Powers Reserved to the People#9 – Powers Reserved to the People #10 – Powers Reserved to the States #10 – Powers Reserved to the States