Ratification Ratification of the of the Constitution Constitution deralists vs. Anti-Federal deralists vs. Anti-Federal
Jan 04, 2016
Ratification of Ratification of the the
ConstitutionConstitutionFederalists vs. Anti-FederalistsFederalists vs. Anti-Federalists
• A.) TheA.) The Constitution was publicized in newspapers Constitution was publicized in newspapers & pamphlets & pamphlets for all American’s to readfor all American’s to read
• The framers knew it would cause controversyThe framers knew it would cause controversy• B.) Explained the constitution was based on B.) Explained the constitution was based on
federalismfederalism::• Federal & state governments have separate Federal & state governments have separate
powers (share power)powers (share power)
• C.) 9 of the 13 states 9 of the 13 states had to approve the approve the Constitution Constitution forfor ratificationratification
• Led to many different Led to many different opinions about what a opinions about what a government should & government should & should not doshould not do
Two political groups formed out of the debates:
• FederalistFederalist: : ForFor ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution
• Anti-FederalisAnti-Federalist: t: AgainstAgainst ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution
Alexander Alexander HamiltonHamilton
James MadisonJames Madison
John JayJohn Jay
Patrick HenryPatrick HenryGeorge MasonGeorge Mason
Richard Richard Henry LeeHenry Lee
FederalistsFederalists Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists
• Wanted to remove powers Wanted to remove powers from states & give to the from states & give to the national governmentnational government
• Important political matters political matters should remain with the statesshould remain with the states
• Divide powers among separate Divide powers among separate branches branches of government
• Legislative branch more Legislative branch more powerful than executivepowerful than executive branch
• One person to lead One person to lead the executive branch
• Strong executive branch would lead to a king or tyrant
• Had the support of most newspapers
• Bill of Rights needed Bill of Rights needed for protection
Informed Public Informed Public Federalist StanceFederalist Stance
• Federalist PapersFederalist Papers– Written by by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, &
John JayJohn Jay– Published anonymously under pen name “Publius”– Series of 85 essays Series of 85 essays which appeared in 2 New York
newspapers supporting the Constitutionsupporting the Constitution
• Use of political cartoons to follow the ratification– “The Federal Pillars” published in the Massachusetts
Centinel
• Published pamphlets to convince American’s Published pamphlets to convince American’s that the
Constitution destroyed basic libertiesConstitution destroyed basic liberties: freedom of press, religious tolerance, right to a trial by jury
• George Mason George Mason --concept of inalienable rights influenced Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence
- Member of the Constitutional ConventionMember of the Constitutional Convention, advocated strong local gov’t & weak central gov’t, did not sign the constitutiondid not sign the constitution
• Patrick Henry Patrick Henry --did not attend the Constitutional Convention b/c “smelled a rat” & fought against ratificationfought against ratification
• A.) James Madison proposed A.) James Madison proposed amendments (changes) amendments (changes) to the Constitutionto the Constitution
• 1.) The firstfirst 10 amendments 10 amendments aadded to the end of the Constitution are called the Bill of Rightsthe Bill of Rights
• a.) a.) Protect Protect the people from people from the power of the the federal gov’tfederal gov’t
6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 89-79
6/25/1788 – Virginia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 89-79
9/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval
9/17/1787 – Convention ratifies Constitution/sent to Congress for approval
9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval
9/28/1787 – Confederation Congress ratifies Constitution/sent to states for approval
17871787 17881788
17891789 17901790 17911791
12/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-012/7/1787 – Delaware ratifies
Constitution with a vote of 30-0
12/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of 46-23
12/12/1787 – Pennsylvania ratifies Constitution with a vote of 46-23
2/6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies Constitution with a vote of 187-1682/6/1788 – Massachusetts ratifies
Constitution with a vote of 187-168
4/26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of 63-11
4/26/1788 – Maryland ratifies Constitution with a vote of 63-11
5/23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of 149-735/23/1788 – South Carolina ratifies Constitution with a vote of 149-73
7/26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-27
7/26/1788 – New York ratifies Constitution with a vote of 30-27
5/29/1790 – Rhode Island, only state not to send delegates to Convention, ratifies
Constitution with a vote of 34-32
November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place
November 1788 – Congress & Presidential elections take place
4/14/1789 – President George Washington takes oath of office 9/25/1789 – James Madison proposed 12
amendments to the Constitution
12/15/1791 – 10 of the 12 amendments are ratified & become the Bill of Rights
11/21/1789 – North Carolina ratifies Constitution, after several failed attempts to
hold a convention, with a vote of 194-77
12/18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of 38-0
12/18/1787 – New Jersey ratifies Constitution with a vote of 38-0
12/31/1787 – Georgia ratifies Constitution with a vote of 26-012/31/1787 – Georgia ratifies
Constitution with a vote of 26-0
1/9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of 128-40
1/9/1788 – Connecticut ratifies Constitution with a vote of 128-40
7/2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution7/2/1788– Confederation Congress accepts ratification of Constitution
6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47
6/21/1788 – New Hampshire ratifies Constitution with a vote of 57-47
March 1789 – First Congress convenes in New York