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CH. 2-5 RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION

CH. 2-5 RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. THE FIGHT FOR RATIFICATION. The Articles of Confederation could only be changed if all 13 states agreed The number of states needed for ratification was changed to 9 out of 13 (Article VII)

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CH. 2-5 RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION

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  1. CH. 2-5 RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTION AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

  2. THE FIGHT FOR RATIFICATION • The Articles of Confederation could only be changed if all 13 states agreed • The number of states needed for ratification was changed to 9 out of 13 (Article VII) • Constitution sent to the states September 28, 1787 • FEDERALISTS AND ANTI-FEDERALISTS • Federalists favored ratification; Anti-federalists opposed

  3. Federalist leaders included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton • Anti-federalists led by Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams • Federalists stressed the weakness of the Articles • The country’s troubles could only be solved by the new national government formed under this constitution • Anti-federalists attacked every part of the document

  4. Objections included the ratification process, the absence of any mention of God, the denial to the states to print money and others • Two major features that were objected to: • 1) the greatly increased powers of the central government • 2) the lack of a bill of rights • Document did not mention basic liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and religion

  5. NINE STATES RATIFY • Votes for ratification were close in several states (table p. 57) • Delaware was the first state to ratify on December 7, 1787 • New Hampshire became the ninth state on June 21, 1788 • NH’s ratification should have put the new constitution and government into motion but it didn’t…

  6. VA and NY had not yet ratified the document and people realized without these key states the constitution would not succeed • VIRGINIA’S RATIFICATION • For: James Madison, John Marshall, Gov. Edmund Randolph* • Against: Patrick Henry, James Monroe, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason* • (*-didn’t sign original document)

  7. George Washington’s support proved vital to the process • Washington convinced Jefferson to agree • Virginia ratified on June 25, 1788 by a vote of 89-79 • NEW YORK, THE LAST KEY STATE • The constitution was approved 30-27 after a long battle on July 26, 1788

  8. The NY contest saw the creation of a remarkable campaign document written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay entitled “The Federalist” • 85 essays written in support of the Constitution • Excellent commentary on the Constitution • Among the best political writings in the English language

  9. INAUGURATING THE GOVERNMENT • September 13, 1788—Congress of the Confederation paved the way for its successor • New York City was chosen as the temporary capital • First Wednesday in: • January—states would chose presidential electors • February—Presidential electors would vote • March—inauguration of the new government

  10. The new Congress convened March 4, 1789 in Federal Hall, on Wall Street, in New York • A quorum (majority) was not present so electoral votes were not counted until April 6th. • George Washington had been elected President of the Untied States by unanimous vote • John Adams was elected Vice-President by a substantial majority • April 30, 1789—George Washington takes the oath of office as the USA’s First President • THE END

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