Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution

When the Constitution was made public, a huge debate began among many Americans. Some antifederalists thought the Constitutional Convention should not have created a new government.

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​Antifederalist | people who opposed the Constitution

​Federalist & Antifederalist

​Antifederalists were challenged by those who believed the United States needed a stronger central government.

​Federalists are those that support the Constitution.

​Alexander Hamilton

​Federalist

​Supported the Constitution as an excellent plan for government

​George Mason

​Antifederalist

​Opposed the Constitution. Believed more individual rights were needed

​Federalist Papers

​One of the most important defenses of the Constitution appeared in a series of essays that became known as the Federalist Papers. These essays supporting the Constitution were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay.

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​The authors of the Federalist Papers tried to reassure Americans that the new federal government would not overpower the newly created states.

​Bill of Rights

​Several states ratified the Constitution only after they were promised that a bill protecting individual rights would be added to it. Many Antifederalists did not think that the Constitution would protect personal freedoms.

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​James Madison wanted to make a bill of rights. In Congress's first session, Madison encourages the legislators to put together a bill of rights. The rights would then be added to the Constitution as amendments or official changes to the Constitution.

Multiple Choice

Opposed the development of a strong central government

• Anti-Federalist

• Federalist

Multiple Choice

Wanted a stronger national government

• Anti-federatlist

• Federalist

Multiple Choice

Opposed constitution until the Bill of Rights were included

• Anti-federalist

• Federalist

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the collection of 85 essays that argued in favor of ratifying the new Constitution?

• Federalist Papers

• Antifederalist Papers

• Notes on the Constitutional Convention

• Constitucionnale Novette

Multiple Choice

What is the Bill of Rights?

• The document signed giving us our independence from Great Britain.

• The first 10 amendments added to the Constitution.

• The 8 most important amendments added to the Constitution.

• The first 11 amendments added to the Constitution.