7.3Debating the Constitution

Why it Matters

• To be or not to be, that is the question• Bill of Rights or No Bill of Rights, that is the

question

4. Can compare Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution and explain the differences to a peer without looking at the book. 3. Can understand that the A.O.C. weaknesses and the need to establish a new government. 2.Can identify the AOC as the first Constitution used after the Declaration of Independence. 1. What’s the AOC?

Federalist Versus Antifederalist

Each state had to hold a state convention to approve or ratify this new form of government we call The Constitution

The Federalist Position

Supporters of the new Constitution called themselves Federalist

Federalists favored a strong federal or national government

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay published the Federalist Papers in support of the new Constitution.

85 newspaper articles

Page 621

•Answer 1-2 of Comprehension and Critical Thinking using complete sentences•Answer in TSSSC (essay form), answer #3.

Federalist Position

•Wanted a stronger central position• They felt that it was necessary to have a

strong federal government to enforce laws.• Read Alexander Hamilton quote from

Federalist No. 15 on page 218

The Antifederalist Position

• Patrick Henry, George Mason were leading Antifederalist• They agreed the AOC was no strong enough to

govern but they felt that The Constitution had gone too far• They feared a strong powerful federal

government would limit the States’ Rights.• “There never was a government over a very

extensive country without destroying the liberties of the people” warned George Mason.

Antifederalist Feared:

•Weakened the States’ Right•No Bill of rights to protect our basic natural rights and liberties•Feared that a President could become a King. There was no limit on how many times a President can be re-elected

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAJyK0ovo8

The Ratification Debate

• States held ratification conventions.• Must have 9 states ratify or approve Constitution

before it could go into effect.• Delaware was first to approve the Constitution

on December 7 1787• New Hampshire becomes the 9th state to ratify

the Constitution• Benjamin Rush, a strong supporter of the

Constitution wrote• “Tis done. We have become a nation”