Federalists supported ratifying the new Constitution as they felt the Articles of Confederation gave too much power to states and too little to the national government. Antifederalists opposed ratification as they felt it made the national government too strong and states too weak. A key issue in the debate was that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights. States began ratifying the Constitution in 1787, with Delaware first and Rhode Island last in 1790. Many states agreed to ratify only if a Bill of Rights was added. James Madison wrote 12 proposed amendments in 1789, with 10 being ratified as the Bill of Rights.

1. Ch 8, Sec 12: The
Constitution Goes to the
States
Main Idea – After heated
debates, the 13 states voted one by
one to approve the new
Constitution.

2. Federalists Debate
Antifederalists
Federalists:
 Supporters of the Constitution
Antifederalists:
 Against the Constitution

3. Federalists Debate
Antifederalists
Federalists:
 Believed the Articles of Confederation:
 Left too much power to individual states
 Made a dangerously weak central gvn’t
 Made disputes between states too difficult for the
national gvn’t to function
 Believed the Constitution:
 Gave the national gvn’t the authority it needed to function
effectively
 Protected rights and powers of individual states

4. Federalists Debate
Antifederalists
Federalists:
 Used the Federalists Papers to:
 Explain and defend the Constitution

5. Federalists Debate
Antifederalists
Antifederalists:
 Believed the Constitution:
Made the national gvn’t too strong and states
too weak
Gave the executive (President) too much power
 Felt the Executive Branch should not be
too powerful because:
Other Presidents would lack the honor and skill
of Washington.

6. Key Issue: Need for a Bill of
Rights
Main objection to the Constitution by
the Antifederalists:
 No Bill of Rights

7. The States Vote to Ratify
Delaware was the first state to ratify the
Constitution on December 7, 1787.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify
the Constitution on May 29, 1790.
Many states agreed to ratify the
Constitution only if:
 A Bill of Rights was added

8. Adding a Bill of Rights
George Washington was elected
President and John Adams was chosen
as Vice-president
New York was the nation’s first capitol
There is a way to amend, or change,
the Constitution

9. Adding a Bill of Rights
In 1789, James Madison wrote a list of
12 amendments, only 10 of them were
ratified and are now known as the Bill of
Rights

10. Adding a Bill of Rights
In 1789, James Madison wrote a list of
12 amendments, only 10 of them were
ratified and are now known as the Bill of
Rights