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Debating the Constitution

Learn about the clash between Federalists and Antifederalists, their arguments, the Ratification Debate, and the significance of the Bill of Rights in forming the US Constitution.

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Debating the Constitution

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  1. Debating the Constitution

  2. Federalists vs. Antifederalists • Supporters of the new Constitution called themselves Federalists because they favored a strong federal or national government, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were the leaders of this party and wrote 85 essays on why we should support the new Constitution • Opponents of the new Constitution were called Antifederalists or Democrat-Republicans and were led by George Mason and Patrick Henry, they believe that the AOC were not strong enough to govern a nation but the new Constitution was too strong and would only control the people • Many of the arguments between the two groups was over issues such as: having a president or a king, should we or shouldn’t we have a bill of rights, should most of power be held with the states or the new federal government

  3. The Ratification Debate • The debate between Federalists and Antifederalists heated up as the states considered ratifying the new Constitution • Delaware was the 1st to ratify the Constitution, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut. • Tough debates took place in Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina • Within a year the remaining states all ratified the new Constitution and our nation was born • New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Rhode Island reluctantly ratified the Constitution after serious and strong debates, many thought these states would never sign and form their own nations

  4. The Bill of Rights • One the 9th of 13 states ratified the Constitution Congress took steps to prepare for the new government • Washington was elected the 1st president of the new USA and John Adams became his vice president • One of the topics that caused the most debate in creating our new government was issue of personal freedom vs. government control, about half of the states argued for a “bill of rights” to be included so that all Americans would know their rights as citizens • The Framers of the Constitution also allowed for the Constitution to be amended over time if the stated Bill of Rights no longer reflected the needs of the people • Many of the rights listed in the 1st 10 Amendments were born out of the conflict with England but still hold true in today’s world and are protected rights of every American • Topics include: your personal freedoms, rights if sent to court, powers limited in the government

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