CHAPTER 6 THE REPUBLICAN EXPERIMENT

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From May to September 1787, the delegates at the
Constitutional Convention worked out a framework
for a new federal system of government
But, this plan for government had to be ratified
by 9 states if it was to replace the Articles of
Confederation
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Many Americans were concerned about the
possibility of tyranny because the Constitution
gave more power to the national government over
the states
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Those who opposed the Constitution, feared a
stronger national govt , and wanted states to
remain powerful were called Anti-Federalists
The Anti-Federalists were led by Patrick Henry
and Samuel Adams
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Show me that age and country where the rights
and liberties of the people were placed on the
sole chance of their rulers being good men,
without a consequent loss of liberty? Patrick
Henry, speech in opposition to the Constitution,
1788
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Those who supported the new Constitution and a
stronger national govt were called the
Federalists
Federalist leaders James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays
called the Federalist Papers to counter the
arguments of the Anti-Federalists
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Nothing is more certain than the indispensable
necessity of government People must cede some of
their natural rights in order to vest it with
requisite powers. (Federalist 2)
the smaller the number of individuals
composing a majority, the more easily will they
execute their plans of oppression. Extend the
sphere, and you take in a greater variety of
parties and interests you make it less probable
that a majority of the whole will invade the
rights of other citizens. (Federalist 10)
If the federal govt is entrusted with the
care of the common defensethat govt ought to be
clothed with all the powers requisite to complete
execution of its trust. (Federalist 23)
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Some states ratified the Constitution quickly,
but states with large majorities of
Anti-Federalists refused without a Bill of
Rights to protect their liberty
New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the
Constitution which went into effect in 1789, but
the Federalists wanted all 13 states to ratify
the new govt
In 1789, the Bill of Rights was introduced and
the last two states ratified the Constitution by
1790
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The Bill of Rights was approved in 1791
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Today, the Constitution is the oldest existing
written govt in the world and is a model for
other nations
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Closure Activity Create a symbol or cartoon that
describes the main idea of each amendment