Constitution and Bill of Rights Chapter 5 Section 3.

Constitution and Bill of RightsChapter 5 Section 3

• Summarize the arguments for and against ratification of the Constitution.

• Describe how the Constitution was ratified.

• Explain the principles of the Constitution.

Objectives

Drafting a New Constitution

•to be by special conventions in each state, not by state legislatures

•required approval of only nine states

Not expecting passage in all 13 states, they changed the rules for ratification

Federalists

– Stressed the weaknesses of the Articles.

– 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

– Supported the Constitution

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.

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.

The two most trusted Americans, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, favored ratification.

Anti-federalists

• Distrusted the absence of a bill of rights.

• 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.

Antifederalists included many farmers.

• They feared the Constitution threatened state debtor relief laws, which rescued many from foreclosure.

• Farmers also distrusted lawyers, merchants, and the wealthy, who were largely Federalists.

Federalists Pushed for Fast Approval

By mid-January 1788, five states had ratified, but nine states were needed.

Federalists gained the support of Massachusetts Governor John Hancock by hinting he might be picked as the first vice president.

When the Federalists agreed to add a bill of rights, four more states quickly ratified.

The last two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina, now reconsidered earlier rejections and ratified as well, bringing the total to 13 states.

The First Congress

• Elected a first president (George Washington) and vice president (John Adams)

• Add a Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights

• Drafted by James Madison

• Ten amendments guaranteed individual freedoms.

• To prevent future abuse or limitations on freedom, any unmentioned rights were retained by the people.

The Bill of Rights

The Constitution established a representative government based on six principles.