U.S. History

Chapter 8: Forming a GovernmentSection 4: Ratification of the Constitution

Federalists & Antifederalists

•Antifederalists—people who opposed the Constitution

Federalists & Antifederalists

•Complaints

–Had gone too far

–Central government too powerful

–No bill of rights

Federalists & Antifederalists

•Most were small farmers and debtors

George Mason Richard Henry Lee

Samuel Adams Patrick Henry

“I acknowledge that licentiousness is dangerous and that it ought to be

provided against. I acknowledge also the new form of government may

effectually prevent it: yet there is on thing it will effectually do: it will oppress and ruin the people.”

--Patrick Henry, June 1788

“I smell a rat!”

--Patrick Henry

Federalists & Antifederalists

•Federalists—people who supported the Constitution

Federalists & Antifederalists

• Reason for support:

– US needed a stronger government

– Careful compromise

– Good balance of state and national power

James Madison George Washington

Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

The Federalist Papers

•85 essays written in support of the Constitution

•Written by “Publius”

Alexander Hamilton

James Madison John Jay

The Ratification Debate

•The process:

–Required approval of nine states

–All states except RI held conventions

–Antifederalists participated

The Ratification Debate

•December 7, 1787: Delaware becomes the first state to ratify Constitution

The Ratification Debate

• June 1788: With the ratification of 9 states, Constitution goes into effect

•NY, NC, RI, & VA hold out

–NY: important trade center–VA: largest population

The Ratification Debate

•May 1790: RI becomes last state to ratify

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Antifederalists:

–Did not believe constitution will not protect personal freedoms

–Demand bill of rights

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Federalists:

–State constitutions promised rights

–Document written to protect rights

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Madison understood bill of rights needed for ratification James Madison

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Amendments—official additions, changes, or corrections

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Amendment process

–Approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress

–Ratified by 3/4 of the states

Demanding the Bill of Rights

•Sources:

–Virginia Declaration of Rights

–Declaration of Independence

Demanding the Bill of Rights

• September 1789: Congress proposes 12 amendments

• December 1791: 10 of 12 amendments ratified

Bill of Rights