Download Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the
Constitution
Chapter 2 Section 5
• Now that Constitution was complete, states had to ratify
it
• Federalists – favored the Constitution because it created a
strong central government
• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay were
three well-known Federalists
• Federalist Papers – collection of essays written by
Federalists, trying to persuade people to approve
document
What was the fight for
ratification?
• Federalists Papers explained rule of law – government
leaders must act according to the law
• Also explained the enumerated powers of Congress – 18
powers of Congress written into the Constitution
• Anti-Federalists – opposed Constitution. Favored states
rights and thought the central government had too much
power
• Federalists agreed to add amendments to the Constitution
to protect state and individual right – Bill of Rights
What was the fight for
ratification?
• The approval of 9 states were needed for Constitution to
go into effect
• New Hampshire was the 9th state to sign
• VA and NY had not yet signed and this was very
important to the Framers
• Finally, 1790 – all 13 states had ratified the Constitution
What was the fight for
ratification?
• New York City named as temporary national capital –
later moved to Philadelphia and then Washington, D.C.
• Congress met for first time on March 4, 1789
• George Washington voted in as first President of U.S.
• John Adams – Vice President
• The new government had begun!
What was the new government
like in the United States?