The Philosophies, Arguments, and the Men Who Achieved It

Ratifying the US Ratifying the US

ConstitutionConstitution

Ratification

Battle over 2 visions of America

• Fear vs. Need for change

• Strong National Gov’t. vs. State Gov’t.

• Ability of system to hold Union in place

• How to best guarantee citizens’ rights

The Opposing The Opposing PhilosophiesPhilosophies

Federalists Anti-Federalists- Nation MUST change or risk - Don’t need that much change, threat of division nation will stay united.

- Strong National Government - Strong State Governments

- Strong manufacturing and - Some business, but mostly business base in country farm economy

- Favored banking and credit - Believed banks and credit to boost economy would create an elite class

- No Bill of Rights – what if one - Need Bill of Rights, not was left out? enough individual protection

The Players

Federalists Anti-Federalists Alexander Hamilton Samuel Adams

James Madison William Patterson

John Jay Patrick Henry

Thomas Jefferson Richard Henry Lee

George Washington James Monroe

Federalist Papers

• Arguments made in NY newspapers for ratification – 82 editorials

• Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay – “Publius”

• Thought necessary - important for big states to ratify Constitution to make it credible.

Bill of Rights• Not included in original Constitution

• Concern by Jefferson, Washington that “essential civil liberties” needed to be guaranteed.

• Congress gets 12 of 80 Amendments proposed by states from James Madison in

September, 1789.

• Adopted by ¾ of states in December, 1791.

Bill of Rights1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 2. Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.3. No quartering of soldiers by citizens. 4. Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. 5. Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double

jeopardy. 6. Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.7. Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8. Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

9. Other rights of the people (are not denied if any were left out). 10.Powers (not given to Nat’l govt. or denied to states) reserved to the states.

Ratification Succeeds

• Achieved in June 1788 New Hampshire becomes 9th state

• Official law of land in March, 1789

• President Washington operates under the new Constitution and forms government.