8.4

Ratification of the Constitution

Concerns about the Constitution

• Fear that the new national government would take away too much power from states (had too much power)

• Would not protect the rights of individual citizens (Lack of Bill of Rights)

• * Ben Franklin urges all delegates to sign even if they didn’t agree with all parts (afraid the union would crumble)

39 of 42 Signed!!!

• Elbridge Gerry (MA), George Mason and Edmund Randolph (VA)- two thought it needed a Bill of Rights- the other wanted to make his own

• Anti-federalists- those who opposed it (small farmers and debtors)

• Federalist- supporters of the Constitution

The Federalist Papers

• Defended the constitution• Written anonymously (Publius)• Later found Alexander Hamilton wrote 50/51 of

the essays, James Madison 30/29 and John Jay 5

• Assured Americans: states would not be overpowered.

• Argued the diversity of the United States would prevent any single group from dominating

Only 9 states needed to ratified the Constitution!!!!!

• December 1787- Delaware becomes the first state to ratify

• By the first half of 1788 these states ratified in this order: PA, NJ, GA, CN, MA, MD, SC and NH (VA, NY, NC and RI did not)

• The Constitution went into effect June 1788 when NH ratified

Bill of Rights- a must (to keep the people happy)

• Added as an AMENDMENT (official changes, corrections, or additions to the Constitution)

• Gathered over 200 suggestions to review-

• After 3 months of debate, Dec. 1791 – 10 were ratified (3/4 approval)- became the Bill of Rights- 1st 10 amendments