Ratifying the Constitution

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Ratifying the Constitution

• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

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Did You Know???

• There was a notion at the original Constitutional
  Convention to include a Bill of Rights in the
  original document, but the idea was rejected
  without much debate by the delegates.
• Remember, there were a few delegates who did not
  sign the document at the convention.
• However, it still has to be ratified.

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The Constitutional Debate

• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

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Federalists

• Supported the proposed Constitution.
• George Washington and Ben Franklin.
• Well organized.

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Federalists

• The Federalists Papers were a series of essays
  written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay explaining
  and defending the Constitution.

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Federalists

• Feared uprisings and disorder more than a strong
  central government.
• Believed a strong central government was
  necessary for survival.

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Anti-Federalists

• Opposed the Constitution.
• Thomas Paine that government is best which
  governs least.
• Patrick Henry.

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Anti-Federalists

• Feared the Constitution would take away the
  peoples liberty.
• Feared the states would lose power to the central
  government.

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Anti-Federalists

• Wanted local governments to take care of the
  peoples needs.
• Generally worked as farmers.

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Anti-Federalists

• Wanted a Bill of Rights - without it, the
  national government would become too strong.

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Fears

• The debate came down to their different fears.
• Federalists feared disorder without a central
  govt. (and more uprisings like Shays Rebellion
  would occur).
• Anti-federalists feared government more than
  disorder. (concentration of power worried them).

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Ratification

• Despite debate, ratification proceeded.
• Constitution would include a Bill of Rights
  amendment.
• Took 9 states to ratify. Eventually all 13 states
  would ratify the new Constitution.