Download Ch. 5.3 Ratifying the Constitution Section Objectives: 1. Contrast

Ch. 5.3 Ratifying the Constitution Section Objectives: 1. Contrast Federalist and Antifederalist arguments over ratification of the Constitution. 2. Explain how and why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. 1. Federalist and Antifederalists A. Controversies Over the Constitution ­Define Ratification ● Official approval ● The ratification of the Constitution refers to it being officially approved. ­How many states needed to ratify the constitution for it to be accepted? ● 9 out of the 13 ­Define Federalists ● Supported the Constitution the way it was. ­What views did the Federalists hold? ● They favored the balance of power between the states and national government. ● They also felt the division of powers and checks and balances would protect Americans from an oppressive government. ­Define Antifederalists ● Opposed the Constitution the way it was. ● They opposed such a strong national government. ­Why did the Antifederalists oppose ratification of the Constitution? ● Feared the government would serve the interests of the privileged minority ● Didn’t think a single gov’t could manage the affairs of such a large country ● Their MAIN argument was on the lack of protection of INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS. B. The Opposing Forces ­Who were some of the leading Federalists? ● George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton ­Who were some of the leading Antifederalists? ● Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee ­Define The Federalist ● A series of 85 essays defending the Constitution ­What did The Federalist argue? ● The Federalist argued and provided reasons why the Constitution should be ratified. Things such as the separation of powers was explained for people to understand. 2. The Bill of Rights Leads to Ratification ● Some people feared the Constitution’s lack of a Bill of Rights. A. People Demand a Bill of Rights ­Why did Antifederalists demand a bill of rights? ● They feared that weakening the states could lead to the federal government taking away the rights of the people. B. Ratification of the Constitution ­In what year was the Constitution ratified? ● 1788 ● New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution ­Why did the federal government need Virginia and New York to ratify the Constitution? ● They are large influential states and because of that they were needed to keep the country unified. C. Adoption of a Bill of Rights ­Define Bill or Rights ● The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights. ­How did the Bill or Rights protect personal liberties? ● They prevent the federal government from taking away personal rights such as freedom of speech and religion.