2. Ratification Process
9 of 13 states had to ratify or approve
Why not all 13 states?
Constitution would be presented to special
conventions in each state
Delegates to conventions would be elected by popular vote
Example of Social Contract Theory
Locke—Just governments “derive their…powers from the
consent of the governed.”
3. George Mason (VA)
Luther Martin (MD)
Robert Yates (NY)
Patrick Henry (VA)
Elbridge Gerry (MA)
Mercy Otis Warren
(MA)
Richard Henry Lee
(VA)
Leading Anti-Federalists
4. Rights not
protected/needed Bill
of Rights
Only House of Reps is
chosen directly by the
people
Powers given to
national gov’t were
vague & general &
could be unlimited
National gov’t would
be too far removed
from average citizens
Not enough protection
from national gov’t
becoming too powerful
Anti-Federalist Arguments
5. Do You Agree?
What do you think…
Was the national government too big?
Was a Bill of Rights needed?
What was better for the people – a strong national government
or a strong state government?
At this point…would you vote to approve the Constitution as it
is?
You have to wonder what the other side thinks…
6. Federalist Papers
John Jay (NY)
James Madison (VA)
Alexander Hamilton
(NY)
Series of 85 essays
promoting ratification
of the Constitution
Published under the
name Publius, meaning
“public”
Leading Federalists
7. Would fix problems of
Articles
Rights protected by
separation of powers,
checks & balances, &
system of
representation
Bill of rights not
necessary, state
constitutions already
had them
Civic virtue alone will
not promote welfare,
gov’t is also needed to
do so
Federalist Arguments
8. Which Side Would You Have Taken
What do you think…
Was the national government fine the way it was?
Was a Bill of Rights needed?
Would you have voted to approve the Constitution as it was?
9. Ratification
Delaware Dec. 7, 1787
Pennsylvania Dec. 12,
1787
New Jersey Dec. 18, 1787
Georgia Jan. 2, 1788
Connecticut Jan. 9, 1788
Massachusetts Feb. 6
1788
Maryland April 28, 1788
South Carolina May 23,
1788
New Hampshire June 21,
1788
Virginia June 25, 1788
New York July 26, 1788
North Carolina Nov. 21,
1789
Rhode Island May 29,
1790
