Ratifying the Constitution

As you read this section (145-149), fill out the chart below with information about the people and ideas involved in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution.

1. Who were the most important Federalists?
Identify individuals and groups.
  • GW, Madison, Hamilton, John Jay, ben Franklin
  • Merchants, skilled workers, urban workers, residents of small states & states with weak economies
/ 2. Who were the most important Antifederalists? Identify individuals and groups.
  • Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee
  • Rural residents, large states & states with strong economies

3. What were Federalist reasons for supporting ratification?
  • Needed strong national gov’t to provide leadership & order
  • Control trade & help small state residents compete with large economically successful states
/ 4. What were Antifederalist reasons for opposing ratification?
  • Feared a strong national government would abuse power
  • Add to tax burden, restrict freedoms that helped bring them financial success
  • Concerned over a lack of a bill of rights

Which rights does each of the following constitutional amendments in the Bill of Rights protect?

  1. First Amendment
  • Guarantee rights to freedom of religion, speech, the press and political activity
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  1. Second & Third Amendment
  • Right to bear arms as members of a militia of citizen-soldiers & prevent gov’t from housing troops in private homes in peacetime

  1. Fourth through Eighth Amendment
  • Fair treatment for individuals suspected or accused of crimes

  1. Ninth Amendment
  • Makes it clear that people’s rights are not restricted to just those specifically mentioned in the Constitution
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  1. Tenth Amendment
  • Clarifies that the people & the states have all the powers that the Constitution does not specifically give to the national government or deny to the states

  1. What were the Federalists argument for the constitution and what were the Antifederalists’ arguments against it?
  • Division of power and system of checks and balances would prevent an executive w/ too much power
  • Long list of possible abuses by a strong centralized gov’t
  • Serve the interests of a privileged minority & ignore the majority
  • Doubted if a single gov’t could manage the entire country
  • Lack of protection of individual rights
  1. Why did the people of the country demand a Bill of Rights, how did the ratification of the Constitution happen, what states had issues with ratification and how were they resolved?
  • Constitution weakened the States - Guarantees people’s rights would be protected
  • Started in Dec. 1787 w/ Delaware – problems in NY & VA
  • VA – Richard Henry Lee (Anti.) – did not agree with putting themselves voluntarily under an absolute ruler
  • NY – John Jay/Alexander Hamilton (Fed.) – The Federalist
  • NH & VA ratified helped NY and Federalist – by 1789 all ratified (except RI)
  1. How does the Bill of Rights help ensure that the central government does not become too strong?
  • 1st eight amendments spell out the personal liberties that states requested
  • 9th & 10th impose general limits on the power of the federal government