Chapter 5
Section 3: Ratifying the
Constitution

The Federalist View
• Ratification votes came from special conventions in each state
–Feared the legislature wouldn’t approve it since it reduced their powers

Federalists
• Washington, Madison, &
Hamilton
• Wrote the Federalists Papers
(85 essays)

The Anti- Federalist View
• Believed the Federalists plan posed a threat to state governments & individual rights
• Patrick Henry
• Saw the Constitution as a betrayal to the
Revolution
• Opposed to the President & Court System

Why the Federalists Won
• Advantages
–Drew on the idea that the Articles were flawed
–United around the Constitution
–Well organized national group
–Had Washington’s support

Ratification
• December 1787- January 1788
–Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut
–Georgia
•Feared a war with the Natives & wanted support
–Pennsylvania

• Massachusetts
• Maryland & South Carolina
• June 1788- New Hampshire
• Summer- Virginia & New York
(Needed the large states)
• November 1789- North Carolina
• May 1790- Rhode Island

The Bill of Rights
• Protecting individual rights
–September 1789- Congress proposed 12
Amendments, mostly drafted by
Madison
–Designed to protect citizens’ rights
–States ratified 10 & took effect
December 15, 1791

Against the Bill of Rights
• Most Federalists
• For the Bill of Rights
–If these rights weren’t spelled out, they could be taken away or considered powers of the government
–Federalists eventually gave in