Ratifying the Constitution
CHAPTER 2
SECTION 5
Starter
 How many states were needed to ratify the
Constitution?
Objective
Students will be able to understand the differences
between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists when
ratifying the Constitution.
The Fight for Ratification
 Once the Constitution was drafted, two sides
emerged to debate ratification: Federalist v. AntiFederalists:


Federalists favored ratification;
Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists
 Argued that the Constitution created too strong a
national government; they worried that the
presidency would become a monarchy and that
Congress would become too powerful.
 **Their main opposition to the Constitution was the
lack of a bill of rights to protect individual liberty.**
 Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, James Monroe,
George Mason, and John Hancock all were antifederalists.
Federalists
 Argued that the Articles were too weak; that
individual liberties could be protected by state
constitutions.
 James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
wrote essays advocating for ratification known as
The Federalist Papers.
Federalist v. Anti-Federalist
Overall
 Federalists believed that a strong central government
with powers divided among executive, legislative,
and judicial branches was necessary to hold the new
country together.
 The Anti-Federalists favored a weaker central
government, more power for State governments, and
strong protections of individual rights (i.e., a Bill of
Rights).
Nine States to Ratify
 It only took nine states to ratify the Constitution.
 Compare that with the Articles; how many states did
it take to ratify the Articles?
Federalist or Anti-Federalist Cartoon?
Question
 In which states was
ratification won by only a
narrow margin?
Inauguration
 With 11 of the 13 states ratifying the Constitution, it
went into effect in 1788.
 New York City was chosen as the temporary capital;
George Washington unanimously voted as President;
and John Adams Vice-President by a wide majority.
Group Work
Answers
 Increased power of central government: Federalists:
Weaknesses under the Articles could only be
overcome by a new government; Anti-Federalists:
Feared a strong, central government would lead to
abuses and force States to follow untenable courses;
 Lack of a bill of rights: Federalists: The Constitution
amply protected rights; an additional Bill of Rights
was not necessary; Anti-Federalists: Feared abuses
and loss of freedoms;
Answers
A powerful executive branch: Federalists: A strong
executive was needed to lead and direct the nation and
carry out laws; Anti-Federalists: Feared a powerful
executive would inevitably become a tyrant who would
usurp the power of the other branches;
Ratification process: Federalists: The unanimity required
under the Articles made major changes impossible; AntiFederalists: The entire process was unlawful under the
Articles, that were still in force;
Absence of mention of God: Federalists: Believed that
freedom of religious choice precluded such mention; AntiFederalists: Objected to the absence of any mention; Other
issue: Sample
Core Handout
 Individual or Group work: C2 S5 Core Worksheet
Exit Ticket
 1. The __________ wanted the Constitution to be
_________ because it provided for a strong
national government.
 2. Anti-Federalists _________ the Constitution
because they thought it would take too much power
away from the states.
Exit Ticket
3) Which of the following statements is true of the Federalists?
a. They worried that the presidency could become a monarchy.
b. They focused on the weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation.
c. They attacked the ratification process for the Constitution.
d. They feared that Congress would become too powerful.
4) The heaviest criticism of the proposed Constitution was that
a. it did not contain a bill of rights.
b. it gave too much power to the States.
c. it established a bicameral legislature.
d. the States would no longer have the power to print money
Video
 Video