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Objectives
• Summarize the arguments for and against
ratification of the Constitution.
• Describe how the Constitution was ratified.
• Explain the principles of the Constitution.
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Terms and People
•
ratification – official approval
•
Federalist – a person who favored ratification of
the new Constitution of 1787
•
Antifederalist – a person who opposed
ratification of the new Constitution
•
The Federalist – a series of 85 essays, written
primarily by Alexander Hamilton and James
Madison, that supported ratification (The
Federalist Papers)
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Terms and People (continued)
•
John Jay – contributed 5 essays to The Federalist
arguing for a strong federal government
•
Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the
Constitution guaranteeing individual rights
•
popular sovereignty – the principle that all
government power comes from the people
•
limited government – where the powers of the
government are specifically described and officials
may not act above the law
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Terms and People (continued)
•
separation of powers – where political power is
specifically defined and divided between three
branches of government
•
checks and balances – a system in which each
branch of government has the power to monitor
and limit the actions of the other two
•
electoral college – a group of persons chosen
from each state who then indirectly elect the
president
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How did Americans ratify the
Constitution, and what are its basic
principles?
Although many delegates to the Constitutional
Convention felt the Constitution was imperfect,
all but three delegates signed it.
Would the states accept the proposed plan?
If not, what would become of the new nation?
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By drafting a new Constitution, the delegates
had exceeded their mandate to amend the
Articles.
Not expecting passage in all 13 states, they
changed the rules for ratification:
• to be by special conventions in each state,
not by state legislatures
• required approval of only 9 states
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• They stressed the
weaknesses of the Articles.
Federalists
favored the
Constitution.
• They argued that only the
proposed Constitution could
remedy these weaknesses.
• They were led by James
Madison and Alexander
Hamilton who, along with
John Jay, published a
series of essays called The
Federalist.
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In Federalist No.10 and
Federalist No. 51,
Madison argued that a
strong national government
and the Constitution’s
system of checks and
balances would strengthen
liberty.
In Federalist No. 78,
Hamilton wrote of the
importance of a judicial
branch to protect liberty.
A copy of The Federalist
signed by George Washington
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The two most trusted Americans
George Washington and Benjamin
Franklin favored ratification.
Frontiersmen felt a stronger government
provided protection against the Native
Americans and the British in the Northwest.
Artisans in the cities and most newspapers
supported ratification as well.
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• They feared a loss of
liberties and distrusted
the absence of a bill of
rights.
Antifederalists
were
opponents of
ratification.
• They feared concentration
of power in a distant elite,
believing instead that
power should remain in
democratically elected
state governments.
• Leading Antifederalists
included Samuel Adams,
John Hancock, and Patrick
Henry.
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Antifederalists included many farmers.
• They feared the Constitution threatened state
debtor relief laws that rescued many from
foreclosure.
• Farmers also distrusted lawyers, merchants,
and the wealthy, who were largely
Federalists.
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The Federalists pushed for fast approval.
By midJanuary
1788, five
states had
ratified, but
nine states
were needed.
Federalists
gained the
support of
Massachusetts
Gov. John
Hancock by
hinting he may
be picked as
the first vice
president.
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When the
Federalists
agreed to add
a bill of
rights, four
more states
quickly
ratified.
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While nine states were the minimum, the two
largest states, Virginia and New York, were
necessary for the nation to survive.
Virginia finally
ratified, despite
Patrick Henry’s
opposition.
New York ratified
after New York City
threatened to secede
from the state.
New York City celebrated ratification
with a parade.
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Congress convened in New York’s
Federal Hall on March 4, 1789 to:
• Elect a first president (George Washington)
and vice president (John Adams).
• Add a Bill of Rights.
The last two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina,
now reconsidered earlier rejections and ratified as
well, bringing the total to 13 states.
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• He used Virginia’s Bill of
Rights as a model.
James Madison
was assigned
to create a Bill
of Rights.
• Madison avoided any
statements about equality
that might offend the slave
states.
• Ten amendments guaranteed
individual freedoms.
• To prevent future abuse or
limitations on freedom, any
unmentioned rights were
retained by the people.
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The Bill of Rights
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The Constitution established a representative
government based on six principles.
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