The Road to Ratification

The Road to Ratification ~ Many of the Founders knew that many state legislatures would not approve Constitution, so they called for

conventions in each state. Why wouldn't states approve it?

~ Only took 9/13 states for ratification

I. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

A. two opposing sides

1. Federalists - favored strong national government

2. Anti-Federalists - prevent Constitution from passing

B. Advantages of Federalists
1. positive name (other group was left with negative label)

2. many attended convention = they had more first hand information about the Constitution and its intent

3. better organization and communication (many were bankers, lawyers, and merchants)

    C. Argument of Anti-Federalists
        1. suspicious of strong national govt.
        2. feared the govt. would take away people's rights
        3.disliked loss of power for the states
        4. Objections to Constitution
            a. convention should have been public
            b. document was written by and for aristocrats (upper class)
            c. national govt. had too much power
                1. Elastic Clause = chance for abuse
            d. the absence of a Bill of Rights
                1. any rights not directly protected would be taken away by the govt.

    D. Response of Federalists
        1. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay teamed to write a series of essays - The Federalist Papers
            to defend the Constitution.
        2. Key concepts...

a. citizen virtue could not be counted on to rule fairly; therefore, a strong national govt. is needed

b. a strong national govt. will, in fact, protect rights b/c of…

1. separation of powers

2. checks and balances

3. representation & elections

II. The Finish

A. The Federalists win the debate, as the Constitution is ratified on June 21, 1788 (New Hampshire = 9^th state)

1. However, a Bill of Rights is promised (and passed in 1791)