Ratifying the Constitution

1
Ratifying the Constitution

• Chapter 5, section 3

2
The Struggle over Ratification

• Ratification required approval of 9 of 13 states
• Two groups emerge in the states
• Federalists those who supported the
  Constitution
• Antifederalists those who opposed the
  Constitution

3
Antifederalists vs. Federalists

• Antifederalist concerns
• Constitution gave national govt too much power
• President will be just like a king
• Individual liberties of people will be threatened
  by a powerful govt
• Federal govt could come under control of one
  powerful group

• Federalist response
• enough power to solve the countrys problems
• system of checks and balances will limit
  presidents power
• Bill of Rights will protect citizens freedom
• Country is too big to be dominated by one group

4
Antifederalists vs. Federalists

• Antifederalist Leaders
• Thomas Jefferson
• Samuel Adams
• John Hancock
• Patrick Henry

• Federalist Leaders
• George Washington
• Benjamin Franklin
• James Madison
• Alexander Hamilton
• John Jay

5
Why The Federalists Won

• 1. The Federalist Papers (Madison, Hamilton,
  Jay)
• 85 essays written to persuade NY to ratify the
  Constitution
• 2. Focused on flaws of the Articles of
  Confederation
• Well organized national group
• George Washington Ben Franklin
• Agreed to add a Bill of Rights

Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
James Madison
6
History Comics
7
Bill of Rights

• BILL OF RIGHTS 1st ten amendments to the
  constitution
• A written list of freedoms guaranteed to citizens
  by the government

8
Bill of Rights

• Number One
• Freedom of religion, speech, and press, plus you
  can assemble in crowds and protest.
• Number Two
• Right to bear arms and cannons, I bet the
  Minutemen didnt know about handguns.
• Number Three
• When soldiers gets sleepy, you dont have to let
  them sleep up on your couch.
• Number Four
• No one can search and seize. It protects me,
  unless people have a warrant to arrest me.

9
Bill of Rights

• Number Five
• If you arrest me, respect me. Sorry Alex,
  theres no Double Jeopardy. Whatd you do after
  school? I plead the fifth. Whatd you do after
  that, dude? I plead the fifth. I dont have to
  incriminate myself or risk my health, whenever
  Im in trouble, I just plead the fifth.
• Number Six
• You must process me speedily.
• Number Seven
• In front of my peers on the jury.

10
Bill of Rights

• Number Eight
• You cant use cruel or unusual punishment. You
  cant make me drink turpentine for the fun of it.
• Number Nine
• The people get more than these rights.
• Number Ten
• States can make other laws, and they just might.
• This is the Bill of Rights.

11
The Constitution Endures

• Became supreme law of land in 1789
• Survived 200 years with only 27 amendments
• Short and vaguely worded
• Flexibility allows for amendments, but difficult
  process
• 2/3 of both houses of Congress must approve an
  amendment
• Becomes a law when ¾ of states ratify

12
Test Topics to Review

• Which act was the first to tax the colonists
  directly?
• First Continental Congress started the boycott
  of British imports formed militias
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (page 137-39). Which
  states were created as a part of it?