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Drastic changes  surprised some, angered others New national government would

Drastic changes  surprised some, angered others New national government would Greatly reduce powers of state legislatures Completely restructure Congress.

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Drastic changes  surprised some, angered others New national government would

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  1. Drastic changes surprised some, angered others • New national government would • Greatly reduce powers of state legislatures • Completely restructure Congress

  2. Framers outlined process for ratifying ConstitutionVoters in each state to elect representatives to state ratifying conventionTo become law, Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states Federalists Antifederalists opposed Constitution • supported Constitution

  3. Antifederalists • Recognized need for stronger national government but thought Constitution betrayed ideals of American Revolution • Saw as assault on state sovereignty, republicanism, liberty of the people • Believed national government would become too powerful • Strongest criticism—lacked bill of rights guaranteeing civil liberties

  4. Federalists • Believed sufficiently powerful national government would strengthen fragile union, promote public good • Government would be empowered to defend against foreign enemies, regulate trade, and put down internal disturbances. • Believed separation of powers in Constitution put limits on government power

  5. The Fight for Ratification Because they did not trust government, the Antifederalists wanted the basic rights of the people spelled out in the Constitution. The struggle over the Bill of Rights became a key focus in the fight over ratification.

  6. Winning over the States… • Federalists better prepared • Targeted small states • Delaware first to ratify, December 7, 1787 • Ratification harder in larger, more powerful states • Promise of adding bill of rights key to winning many states • Eventually all 13 states ratified

  7. Bill of Rights • First Congress made bill of rights one of government’s first priorities • Ideas for these rights had been voiced in Declaration of Independence, elsewhere • December 1791: 10 amendments, traditionally called the Bill of Rights, ratified • Protected freedom of speech, press, religion, due process, right to fair trial, trial by jury

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