Name________________________________
Ratifying the Constitution
Chapter 5 Section 3
Focus Question: How did Americans ratify the Constitution, and what are its basic principles?
The Struggle Over Ratification
•_________________________________________
•_________________________________________
–________________________ (VA)
–Thomas Jefferson (______)
–James Madison (VA)
–_______________________ (MA)
–Alexander Hamilton (______)
–Patrick Henry (VA)
Federalists Favor Strong Government
–They stressed the ___________________________ of the Articles.
–They argued that only the proposed ______________________ could remedy these weaknesses.
– They were led by ______________________and ______________________who, along with John Jay,
published a series of essays called ______________________.
Antifederalists Fear a Strong Government
•They feared a loss of ______________________ & distrusted the absence of a ______________________.
• They feared concentration of power in a distant _____________, believing instead that power should
remain in ______________________ elected state governments.
• Leading ______________________ included Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Patrick Henry.
Farmers Were Antifederalists
• Antifederalists included many ______________________.
• They feared the Constitution threatened state ______________________laws that rescued many from
______________________.
• Farmers also distrusted ______________________, ______________________, and the wealthy, who
were largely Federalists.
The Federalists Gain Support
• The two most trusted Americans George Washington and Benjamin Franklin favored ratification.
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• ______________________n felt a stronger government provided ______________________ against the
Native Americans and the ______________________ in the Northwest.
• ____________________ in the cities and most ______________________ supported ratification as well.
The Federalist Papers
• In Federalist No.10 and Federalist No. 51, ______________________ argued that a strong national
______________________ and the Constitution’s system of ________________________________
would strengthen liberty.
• In Federalist No. 78, Hamilton wrote of the importance of a _________________ branch to protect liberty.
The Federalists pushed for fast approval.
• By mid-January 1788, five states had ______________________, but nine states were needed.
• Federalists gained the support of Massachusetts Gov. ______________________by hinting he may be
picked as the first ______________________.
• When the Federalists agreed to add a ____________________________, four more states quickly ratified.
Ratification
• While nine states were the minimum, the two largest states, ______________________ and
______________________, were necessary for the nation to survive.
• Virginia finally ratified, despite _________________________________________opposition.
• New York ratified after New York City threatened to ______________________ from the state.
A New Government
• Congress convened in New York’s Federal Hall on March 4, 1789
– Elect a first president (______________________) and vice president (______________________).
– Add a Bill of Rights.
• The last two states, ______________________ and ______________________, now reconsidered earlier
rejections and ratified as well, bringing the total to ______________________.
The Bill of Rights
1.
Freedom of ______________________, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2.
Right to keep and ______________________in order to maintain a well regulated militia.
3.
No quartering of ______________________.
4.
Freedom from unreasonable ______________________ and ______________________.
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5.
Due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, _______________________________
6.
Rights of ______________________ persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
7.
Right of trial by jury in ______________________.
8.
Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual ______________________.
9.
Other rights of the people.
10.
Powers reserved to the states.
The Constitution established a representative government based on six principles.
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__________________________
The people are the only source of the government’s power
__________________________
The government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it
__________________________
Power is divided among three branches of government
__________________________
The federal government and state governments share power
__________________________
Each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other two
__________________________
Citizens elect representatives to government to make laws.
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