Ratifying the Constitution

1. Ratifying the Constitution

2. Focus Question What is the proper role of government?

3. The Constitutional Convention • Met to amend the Articles • 55 delegates from 12 states. • Immediately decided to scrap the Articles for something new

4. Ratification • Sent to special state conventions • Required 9 states for ratification • Certain states immediately approved the Constitution • Others required debate

5. Division into two groups • Federalists v. Anti-Federalists • Federalists favored the Constitution • Anti-Federalists did not

6. Federalists Had a Continental vision Often were well-traveled Former Army officers Promoted importance of the Central Government

7. Anti-Federalists Felt government had too much power Took too much power from the states Violated principles of the Revolution Held no Bill of Rights

8. Ratification Drive Hit a Snag Most favored Anti-Federalists Larger states were delaying ratification

9. Federalist Papers 85 newspaper editorials Prepared by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay Answered Anti-Federalist arguments Swayed many

10. Bill of Rights • Virginia and New York held out for a Bill of Rights • Virginia the largest state • New York the center for commerce • Federalists promised a Bill of Rights in 1789 • Satisfied both states • By 1790, all 13 states had ratified the Constitution

11. ASSIGNMENT • Prepare a poster arguing over ratification of the Constitution • All posters must include • A title • A snappy slogan • An Illustration • Three arguments made to promote your view of ratification • Support for each of those arguments • Two ways your topic impacted the U.S. in the future.

12. Summary Identify two ways to improve this lesson