A More Perfect Union: 1777-1791

1. A More Perfect Union: 1777-1791 A New Plan of Government

2. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists • As Constitution was sent out to states for ratification… • Citizens saw it printed in newspapers and pamphlets • Met w/ great debate • Framers knew this would happen and began campaigning for its’ ratification • People feared all the power this new federal gov’t had & loss of states’ rts. • Framers argued it was based on Federalism • System where states and federal gov’t shared rts. • People who supported this new gov’t called Federalists • People who opposed it called Anti-Federalists • Thought took too much power from states • Fearful b/c did not list protected rts. • Feared a single Chief Executive would take power declaring himself a King • Mostly though… • Feared new liberties and freedoms won in war would disappear!

4. The Federalist Papers • Federalists didn’t just sit there while Anti-Feds attacked the Constitution • Began writing campaign of letters and essays to explain • Become known as the Federalist Papers • Appealed to peoples’ common sense, emotions, and reason • Wrote by… • James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John Jay • Did have important advantage over Anti-Feds b/c newspapers supported the Constitution • Gave much more positive publicity to cause • Still faced serious opposition in Mass, NC, NY, RI, & VA • Led by… • John and Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason • If some of these big time states didn’t ratify… • US might not survive • Weak Articles of Confederation made US easy target for conquer by Spanish who controlled other half of continent

5. Battle 4Ratification • By Dec. 1787- • Delaware, NJ, & PA had became first to ratify • GA, CT, and Mass. Soon followed • By June 1788… • 9 of 13 had signed (it was now official!!!) • Fight not over though… • NY & VA didn’t vote yet! • w/o VA, Constitution would be w/o support of its biggest state who could become its own country • NY could do the same, and w/ NY its own country the US would be separated into 2 parts! • VA’s legislature meets to decide • Patrick Henry and George Mason are the key leaders against signing it • Both refused to sign unless a list of protected rights was added • Bill of Rights • James Madison convinces VA that if they vote to ratify, he will insist that a Bill of Rights be added later • VA ratifies at the end of June • News of VA signing hits NY and they soon follow suit • RI is last to sign in 1790

6. The Bill of Rights • For some states, only sign Constitution into law if amended to include a list of rights • Believed needed to make sure gov’t couldn’t trample their liberty • 1789- James Madison begins drafting this list of rights of citizens • In the end a list of 10 amendments (changes) were sent out to be ratified by states • 1791- VA cast final vote to approve and attach the “Bill of Rights”

7. "The Bill of Rights" by Rythem, Rhyme, & Results • ChorusIt's the Bill of Rights, it's the bill of your rightsIt's time to take your knowledge up to unfamiliar heightsThe thrill of your life, just like riding a bikeYou're never, never, never going to forget the Bill of RightsVerse IThe right to free speech and religion and pressAre guaranteed by Amendment OneAmendment Number Two says it's true, that it's all up to youIf you choose to possess a gunThe government can't force you to house and feed a soldierSays Amendment Number ThreeAmendment Number Four we adore says without a warrantYour stuff can't be searched or seizedChorus (x2) • Verse IIAmendment Number Five says the court can't try youWith evidence they already usedIt also says that nobody can make you self-incriminateYou're allowed to stay silent if you choose.Amendment Number Six won't let the criminal clock tickThe rights of the accused continue here, and thenAmendment Number Seven gives you one plus eleven:A right to a trial by a jury of your peersIf it's cruel and unusual punishmentIt's ruled out by Amendment EightAmendment Number Nine says that other rights are fineAnd Ten gives the rest to the states.Chorus (x2)