Ratify: To agree to, To sign Amend: To add to Veto: To refuse to sign Bill: Proposed law Suffrage: Right to vote Bicameral: Two house congress.

The Constitution

Political Vocabulary

Ratify: To agree to, To sign Amend: To add to Veto: To refuse to sign Bill: Proposed law Suffrage: Right to vote Bicameral: Two house congress Impeachment: Removal from office Cabinet: Advisors to the President

The Convention

Congress met in Philadelphia to “revise” the Articles of Confederation.▪ Every state except Rhode Island sends

delegates (55 total)▪ James Madison kept records of debates▪ Debates closed to public▪ Delegates were not allowed to speak about

the proceedings outside of the building The delegates soon decided to “throw

out” the articles and write a new document.

The Constitutional Convention

Conflict and Compromise

Conflict and Compromise

Ratification

In order to make the constitution official, 9 of the 13 states had to approve

Special elections were held delegates were chosen by voters for a

state convention Those delegates would vote to approve

or reject the constitution

The Great Debate

Constitution continued debate within the states over states’ rights, individual rights, and functional organization

Broke United States into TWO political parties: Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Two Sides

Federalists Supported the

constitution Believed a strong

central government was needed

Believed separation of powers and check and balances would protect individual freedoms

Antifederalists Disapproved of the

constitution Believed power

should stay with individual states

Believed the Constitution did not go far enough to protect individual freedoms

Federalists

Led by George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton

Were supported by urban centers and small states

Published a series of essays called “The Federalist” Analyzed and explained the

constitution to voters

Antifederalists

Led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams

Supported by rural farmers and large states

Published “Letters from the Federal Farmer” to explain that they believed freedom of the press and religion needed to be protected

The Birth of Political PartiesFederalists

Alexander Hamilton Beliefs in Government

Rule by rich and well educated New government should favor

merchants, manufacturers, and lawyers

Strong central government with a strong president

Favored industry Wanted strong alliance with

Britain Centralized banking and

create debt spending Cynical Loose interpretation of the

Constitution

The North

Anti-Federalists

Thomas Jefferson Beliefs in Government

Rule by everybody New government should favor

farmers, artisans, and poor classes

Weak central government, power given to the states to reflect individual interests

Favored agriculture and farming

Wanted strong alliance with France

Low taxes, small tariffs Idealistic Strict interpretation of the

Constitution

The South

Who are you?

Consider the times and these beliefs:

What political party would you support? The Federalists or the Anti-Federalists? Explain your answer.

Another Compromise

Antifederalists demanded a Bill of Rights

Federalists yielded, and promised a Bill of Rights would be added if the states ratified the Constitution

Ratification

After a series of debates, most of the states approved the Constitution

New government became official in 1789

Bill of Rights

Added to the Constitution in 1791

First 10 Amendments

Secured individual freedoms and limited government power

Questions for Class Discussion

Did the Convention exceed its authority?  If the Convention did exceed its authority, should it have anyway?  

Would the United States have been better off if the Virginia Plan had been adopted as presented?  If the New Jersey Plan had been adopted?

Conflict and Compromise

Separation of Power

Checks and Balances