US History Ch 8.4

Slide 1: U.S. History Chapter 8: Forming a Government Section 4: Ratification of the Constitution

Slide 3: Federalists & Antifederalists •Antifederalists— people who opposed the Constitution

Slide 4: Federalists & Antifederalists • Complaints – Had gone too far – Central government too powerful – No bill of rights

Slide 5: Federalists & Antifederalists •Most were small farmers and debtors

Slide 6: George Mason Richard Henry Lee

Slide 7: Samuel Adams Patrick Henry

Slide 8: “I acknowledge that licentiousness is dangerous and that it ought to be provided against. I acknowledge also the new form of government may effectually prevent it: yet there is on thing it will effectually do: it will oppress and ruin the people.” --Patrick Henry, June 1788

Slide 9: “I smell a rat!” --Patrick Henry

Slide 10: Federalists & Antifederalists •Federalists—people who supported the Constitution

Slide 11: Federalists & Antifederalists • Reason for support: – US needed a stronger government – Careful compromise – Good balance of state and national power

Slide 12: James Madison George Washington

Slide 13: Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton

Slide 14: John Jay

Slide 15: The Federalist Papers • 85 essays written in support of the Constitution • Written by “Publius”

Slide 16: Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay

Slide 20: The Ratification Debate • The process: – Required approval of nine states – All states except RI held conventions – Antifederalists participated

Slide 21: The Ratification Debate • December 7, 1787: Delaware becomes the first state to ratify Constitution

Slide 24: The Ratification Debate • June 1788: With the ratification of 9 states, Constitution goes into effect • NY, NC, RI, & VA hold out – NY: important trade center – VA: largest population

Slide 26: The Ratification Debate •May 1790: RI becomes last state to ratify

Slide 27: Demanding the Bill of Rights • Antifederalists: – Did not believe constitution will not protect personal freedoms – Demand bill of rights

Slide 28: Demanding the Bill of Rights • Federalists: – State constitutions promised rights – Document written to protect rights

Slide 29: Demanding the Bill of Rights • Madison understood bill of rights needed for ratification James Madison

Slide 30: Demanding the Bill of Rights •Amendments— official additions, changes, or corrections

Slide 31: Demanding the Bill of Rights • Amendment process – Approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress – Ratified by 3/4 of the states

Slide 32: Demanding the Bill of Rights • Sources: – Virginia Declaration of Rights – Declaration of Independence

Slide 33: Demanding the Bill of Rights • September 1789: Congress proposes 12 amendments • December 1791: 10 of 12 amendments ratified Bill of Rights