Ratification of the Constitution

1. Ratification of the Constitution

2. What happened after the Constitution was signed? • Was it instantly the law of the land? • What had to happen to make the Constitution the law? • Did everyone agree with the government and laws outlined in the Constitution? • Who had to agree for the Constitution to become the supreme law of the United States?

3. The Ratification of the Constitution • The Ratification of the Constitution

4. Ratify • To give authorization or approval. • States had to give approval and permission for the Constitution to become law. Ratification means that it has been approved or authorized.

5. Federalist The term Federalists refers to the group of people who fought for the adoption of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788. This group was a loose alliance, not an organized political party. • The Federalist Papers is a series of 85 letters that urged ratification of the United States Constitution. The Federalist authors used both logical argument and appeal to prejudice. They emphasized the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, the dangers in British sea power and Spanish intrigue, the desirability and need of a stronger central government, and the safeguards of the new Constitution. • The authors did not defend every point in the proposed Constitution. But they argued that it was the best document on which agreement could be reached. They asserted that the checks and balances system of the Constitution would create a strong government and still protect the states' rights. The Federalist papers greatly influenced acceptance of the Constitution, and they are still important in interpreting it.

6. Anti-Federalists • a political group in the United States in the late 1780's that feared a strong national government. Many opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Others voted for it but said it should be interpreted to give the national government the least possible power.

7. Bill of Rights • A bill of rights is a document that describes the basic liberties of the people. It also forbids the government to violate these rights. • The constitutions of many democratic countries have bills of rights that guarantee everyone freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. Most bills of rights also promise the right to a fair trial and other rights. • The first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States are known as the Bill of Rights. The bill came into effect on Dec. 15, 1791. The 10 amendments were adopted because some states refused to approve the Constitution unless a bill of rights was added. The amendments protect individuals from various unjust acts of government.

8. Delaware’s Ratification of the Constitution

9. Transcription Delaware's Ratification of the Constitution We the Deputies of the People of Delaware State in Convention met having taken into our serious consideration the Federal Constitution proposed and agreed upon by the Deputies of the United States in a General Convention held at the city of Philadelphia on the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, Have approved, assented to, ratified, and confirmed and by these Presents, Do, in virtue of the Power and Authority to us given for the purpose for and in behalf of ourselves and our Constituents, fully, freely, and entirely approve of assent to, ratify, and confirm the said Constitution. Done in Convention at Dover this seventh day of December in the year aforesaid and in the Independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In Testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names To all whom these Presents shall come Greeting. I Thomas Collins President of the Delaware State do hereby certify that the above instrument of writing is a true copy of the original ratification of the Federal Constitution by the Convention of the Delaware State which original ratification is now in my possession. In Testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the Delaware State to be hereto annexed.

10. Federalist vs Anti-Federalists: A Compromise • YouTube Video - Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: A Compromise

13. Map of the Ratification of the Constitution • Ratification Interactive Map

14. Ratified by the States

15. Would you have voted to ratify the Constitution? • Would you have voted for or against the ratification of the Constitution as it was in 1787? • What are your reasons? • Would you have been a Federalist or Anti-Federalist?