Ratification of the Constitution

To ratify means to approve

Article VII of the Constitution - 9 of 13 states must ratify the Constitution for it to be the new govt.

This would not be easy!

Federalists versus Antifederalists

George Foreman - And you thought he only sold grills!

Federalists

Supported the Constitution – felt Articles were too weak

Well organized, plenty of $

Led by Washington and Franklin

Antifederalists

Felt new Constitution gave too much power to the Federal Government

Complained rights of citizens not protected

Demanded a that the rights of citizens be added before they would ratify the Constitution

Federalists agreed to add the Bill of Rights listing rights of citizens.

Bill of Rights

• First ten Amendments (additions) to the Constitution

Outlines rights of citizens

The Ratification by StateDelaware December 7, 1787

Pennsylvania December 12, 1787

New Jersey December 18, 1787

Georgia January 2, 1788

Connecticut January 9, 1788

Massachusetts February 6, 1788

Maryland April 28, 1788

South Carolina May 23, 1788

New Hampshire June 21, 1788

Virginia June 25, 1788

New York July 26, 1788

North Carolina November 21, 1789

Rhode Island May 29, 1790

Bill of Rights added to the Constitution

First major political issue in U.S. and was peaceful - the experiment of rule by the citizens might work!

Amendment ProcessProposal by convention of states, ratification by 75% of state conventions (never used)

Proposal by convention of states, ratification by 75% of state legislatures (never used)

Proposal by Congress (2/3s in each house), ratification by 75% of state conventions (Only used by 21st Amendment)

Proposal by Congress (2/3s in each house), ratification by 75% of state legislatures (used by 26 other Amendments)

Bill of Rights1. You have freedoms of religion, free speech,

press, and assembly/petition2. You have the right to “bear arms.”3. Soldiers may not be placed in your home

during peacetime.4. The government is not allowed to perform

illegal searches/seizures and a legal warrant be produced.

5. You cannot be tried twice for the same crime, placed in jail without trial, or be forced to testify against yourself. The govt. cannot take your things without compensation.

6. You have the right to a speedy trial by jury of your peers. You may call witnesses to defend yourself and can confront other witnesses. You will get a lawyer to help you defend yourself.

7. When sued, you will have a trial by jury.

8. Excessive bails/fines are illegal, as is “cruel and unusual punishment.”

9. Elastic Clause - There may be other rights you get that aren’t specifically mentioned (Don’t worry - scholars aren’t sure what this meant exactly, either). Allows the Constitution to change with times.

10. Reserve Clause - Powers not given to the federal govt. shall be controlled by state or local govts.