ratification
DESCRIPTION
Ratification . Chapter 5 Section 3. THE DEBATE BEGINS. Ratification: The U.S. Constitution states that 9 states must ratify a document for it to become the official law of the land. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Ratification
Chapter 5 Section 3
THE DEBATE BEGINS Ratification: The U.S. Constitution states that 9 states
must ratify a document for it to become the official law of the land.
Federalists argue that a federal government would maintain state unity. States without a strong government would lead to competition over land and commerce and there would be no state unity for the common defense of the United States.
Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual liberties. Supported a Bill of Rights.
The Federalists Federalists are supported the Constitution and
tended to be supported by merchants and urban areas
Federalists =Federalism is a system of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, George Washington, and Ben Franklin
Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalist did not want the Constitution
passed and are supported by small farmers and rural settlers Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Richard Henry Lee,
George Clinton, Edmund Randolph, and George Mason
DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW Federalists argued
for Wanted a strong
national government
Three branches of government filled with men of “reputation”
Wanted a president to lead executive branch
No Bill of Rights
Antifederalists argued States should have
power Wanted legislative
branch to be strongest branch of government
Feared a strong president in office (compared to king)
A Bill of Rights would protect the rights of Americans
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS John Jay, Alexander
Hamilton and James Madison will write 85 essays
It is political propaganda and explains American political thought of the day
It is written to appeal to the Anti-Federalists that it is important to ratify the U.S. Constitution
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS The essays will be written
under the fake name of Pulbius
Alexander Hamilton will write most of the essays and they will be published in newspapers
Hamilton believes that the Articles of Confederation will lead to anarchy
FEDERALIST #10 Madison argues that our
nation is large with many groups who would keep each other in check and would prevent certain groups from being in power
Creditors and debtors, rich and poor, merchants and land owners
FEDERALIST #15 Hamilton points out
the Articles of Confederation has many weaknesses
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
FEDERALIST #51 Madison explains the
system of “checks and balances”, each branch has powers that limits the influence of the other branches of government
Federal Judges are appointed for life to be free from political pressure
The Federalists Papers John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James
Madison wrote the Federalist Papers to get support for the Constitution. Papers addressed issues such as representation, rights of individuals and majority rule.
The Anti-Federalists respond in the “Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention”, which argued the fear of a strong executive branch and the absence of a Bill of Rights.
The Fight for Ratification 9 of 13 had to ratify the U.S. Constitution
for it to become law Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Georgia, and Connecticut all ratified by the beginning of 1788
Massachusetts Federalist added a Bill of Rights and
promised amendment that would reserve state’s powers (10th Amendment) Response was ratification
The Fight for Ratification By the end of June 1788, Maryland, South
Carolina, and New Hampshire had ratified (made 9)
Feared the gov’t wouldn’t succeed if Virginia and New York didn’t ratify
Virginia and New York Virginia ratification=Bill of Rights New York=2/3 of state convention was Anti-
federalists. Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton and
John Jay
The Fight for Ratification Delayed vote until news of ratification of VA and
NH was heard Put New York in awkward position If they chose not to ratify they would be independent of
the state
By 1788, all states had ratified except North Carolina and Rhode Island Already had 9 states=began launching new gov’t
March 4, 1789=1st meeting of new Congress NC waited till Bill of Rights were presented to
ratify=November 1789 Rhode Island=1790
The Fight for Ratification U.S. now had a new government
Many Americans expressed great confidence b/c the 1st president under the new Constitution was George Washington