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Ratifying the Constitution
Do Now:
What is more important: power in numbers
or individualism?
What was needed for Ratification?
 According to The Constitution,
Nine states needed to ratify the
document in Ratification
Conventions to take effect.
 States that did not ratify would
be treated as foreign
governments
 Delaware was 1st state to ratify
(30-0)
 Other states were much closer,
New York and Virginia were
locked in debate and Rhode
Island finally joined in by a close
vote (34-32)
Debating the U.S. Constitution for
Ratification
Two sides quickly formed for and
against the ratification of the
constitution. Some states were
more divided than others.
The debate is centered around a
few key issues and two camps
developed, the Federalist (proratification) or Anti-Federalist
(anti-ratification) camps.
Ultimately, the main issue was
one of balance between strong
national unification and
localized state freedoms.
Ratification Debate Simulation
In groups of 3-4 read the two handouts
(Federalist and Anti-Federalist).
Using the quotes, outline what you believe
to be each sides position on a strong
central government and how it would
effect their views on the constitution
FEDERALIST - VS - ANTIFEDERALIST
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
FEDERALISTS
ANTI-FEDERALISTS
 Favored the ratification of the
 Opposed the ratification of
Constitution.
 Led by many of those who
attended the Philadelphia
Convention
the Constitution
 Notables: Patrick Henry,
John Hancock, Sam Adams,
Thomas Jefferson
 Did not want to increase
 Most active: James Madison
and Alexander Hamilton
 Stressed weaknesses in the
Articles of Confederation.
power for the central
government
Political Information
Where do we get our political information today?
Nightly News-News Catalogue
Websites-ENews-Social media,
and Water Cooler.
In the late 18th century word of
mouth and newspapers were
the primary means of
information transmission. There
were 94 registered papers in
New York City alone from 17591800.
Where did they get their political information
then?
Federalist Papers
 A collection of 85 essays supporting the
Constitution. Printed in New York (where
federalists feared the constitution would not be
ratified) in The Independent Journal and The
New York Packet. All papers were published
under the pseudonym “Philo-Publius.”
 Alexander Hamilton-51 Papers
 James Madison-26 Papers
 John Jay-5 Papers
 Hamilton/Madison-3 Papers
Federalist Paper 10
 Written by James Madison
 "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a minority or majority of the
whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion,
or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent
and aggregate interests of the community"

"the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and
unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are
without property have ever formed distinct interests in society"
 "liberty is to faction what air is to fire"
 (Madison believed that a large republic caused such a varied opinion
amongst it’s constituents that it would make factions less likely to form and
gain power.)
Federalist Paper 39
 “The first question that offers itself is whether the general form and
aspect of the government be strictly republican. It is evident that no
other form would be reconcilable with the genius of the people of
America; with the fundamental principals of Revolution; or with that
honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom to
rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for selfgovernment.”
 “If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different
forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be, or
at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its
powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is
administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure for a
limited period, or during good behavior.”
Federalist Paper 39
 Written by James Madison
 James Madison demonstrates that the government
established by the proposed Constitution was in
every respect republican in nature.
 Republic: An entity (Reps.) of the people (Publicus).
 (Madison says that to be a republic the following
must be true: )
Power to govern is derived from the people’s consent
 Elected representatives are the government administrators
 Terms of representatives must be limited

Federalist Paper 51
 “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were
to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government
would be necessary.
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over
men, the great difficulty lies in this:
1. you must first enable the government to control the governed; and
in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people
is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience
has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.”
 "double security arises to the rights of the people. The governments will
control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by
itself“.
Federalist Paper 51
 Written by James Madison
 This paper is a critical look at the structure of
government that the constitution creates
 Each branch should be independent from one
another but have equal power (separation of powers)
 Federalism (balance between state and central
power) also acts as a separation of power
2.3 Assignment
Taking the position of either a Federalist or AntiFederalist, answer the following question in a single
cohesive writing. Make sure to include as much
supporting evidence as possible.
Which type of government can best fulfill it’s
obligations to it’s citizens: a large, strong, unified
government or a small localized and individualized
government? Explain how.