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Chapter 2 Section 5

Chapter 2 Section 5. Ratifying the Constitution. Basic Information. 9 states needed to ratify ( approve) the Constitution Supporters and opponents of the new Constitution prepared to debate in each state

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Chapter 2 Section 5

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  1. Chapter 2 Section 5 Ratifying the Constitution

  2. Basic Information • 9 states needed to ratify ( approve) the Constitution • Supporters and opponents of the new Constitution prepared to debate in each state • Many were not sure how states were going to react because the Convention that created the Constitution was only supposed to amend the Constitution.

  3. Federalists • Supporters of the new Constitution • James Madison • Thomas Jefferson • Wanted a strong federal government • Articles of Confederation proved this! • Argued that the federal government could not become too strong because: • Separation of power – powers divided • Checks and balances – each branch would monitor the others • Bill of Rights was not necessary because federal government did not have the power to take away basic freedoms • Not a listed power

  4. Anti-federalists • Opponents of the new Constitution • Patrick Henry • George Clinton • Upset that it didn’t include a Bill of Rights • If they weren’t included they could be take away • Feared the Federal government would become too powerful • A strong executive would be too similar to a king/queen • States would loose the ability to govern themselves because the Fed gov’t has the final say

  5. Process of Ratification • The fight for ratification was close in many states but the Federalist finally won all of them • Delaware ( 12/7/87) was the first state to ratify and Rhode Island (5/29/90) was the last • Although New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution it could not really go into effect until Virginia and New York ratified it as well • Without these 2 large states the union would not be able to survive

  6. Virginia and New York • The conventions for ratification in both states featured heated debates between federalists and anti-federalist • To push for ratification in these key states Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published The Federalist Papers • Collection of 85 essays published in newspapers and assembled into a book

  7. Why did Federalist win out? • Everyone knew there were flaws with the Articles • Federalists were united behind an actual plan (the Constitution) • Anti-federalists has no common plan as an alternative • The federalists were well-organized and widely published • The federalists had the well respected George Washington on their side

  8. Finally Ratified! • By September 1788 the new government was set up with George Washington as president • The capital was temporarily moved to New York City • Moved to Philly in 1790 and Washington D.C. in 1800

  9. Articles • What are the main arguments of the Anti-federalists? • Why does Hamilton believe that the Constitution does not need a Bill of Rights?

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