CHAPTER 8 • SECTION 3
federalism. Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared
between the central (or federal) government and the states. Linking themselves to the idea of federalism, the people who supported the Constitution
Federalists.
took the name Federalists
The Federalists promoted their views and answered their critics in a series
papers Three well-known politicians
of essays, known as The Federalist papers.
wrote The Federalist papers—James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John
Jay. These essays first appeared as letters in New York newspapers. Calling
for ratification of the Constitution, The Federalist papers appealed both to
reason and emotion. In The Federalist papers, Hamilton described why people
should support ratification.
More About . . .
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton (1755/57–1804) was
born in the British West Indies. When he
was eleven years old, the young Alexander
went to work as a clerk. He received
financial support from friends that enabled
him to go to King’s College (now Columbia
University) in New York.
“
ONLINE
PRIMARY SOURCE
”
—Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist “Number 1”
Hear the debate at the
Research & Writing
Center
@ ClassZone.com
More About . . .
COMPARING
Moving into the
Northwest Territory
Perspectives
Federalists and Antifederalists had very different ideas about how the United States
should be governed. These were some of the arguments made as Americans passionately debated ratification of the Constitution.
While the debate over ratification raged on,
settlers were moving into the Northwest
Territory. In April 1788, the first settlement
was established there on the Muskingum
River in the Ohio territory, named
Muskingum. The settlement was then
renamed Marietta—in honor of the French
queen, Marie Antoinette, for her country’s
help during the Revolution.
Federalists
Antifederalists
“
Your president may easily become king:
Your Senate is so imperfectly constructed
that your dearest rights may be sacrificed
by what may be a small minority; and a
very small minority may continue for ever
unchangeably this government, although
horridly defective. Where are your checks
in this government?
“
—Patrick Henry
RESEARCH &
Go online to explore
WRITING
CENTER
more of the heated
debate at
ClassZone.com
Hear recordings of these sources at
the Research and Writing Center
@ ClassZone.com.
Remind students that the Antifederalists
opposed ratification, and the Federalists
supported ratification. Ask: What was
Patrick Henry’s main concern with the
Constitution? (Possible Answer: lack of
checks and balances)
CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER
Analyze They feared that without
a system of checks and balances, the
president would have the power of a king,
from which they had fought so hard to
free themselves.
Unit 3 Resource Book
• Skillbuilder Practice, p. 169
250 • Chapter 8
—Alexander Hamilton
The mode of levying taxes is of the
utmost consequence; and yet here it is to
be determined by those who have neither
knowledge of our situation, nor a common interest with us.
As all the States are equally represented in the Senate, and by men the most
able and the most willing to promote
the interests of their constituents, they
will all have an equal degree of
influence in that body.
—George Mason
—John Jay
“
COMPARING Perspectives
I am persuaded that a firm union is as
necessary to perpetuate our liberties
as it is to make us respectable; and
experience will probably prove that the
national government will be as natural
a guardian of our freedom as the state
legislatures.
“
During the Revolutionary War, he became
an aide to General Washington. Hamilton
moved up quickly in the army and later in
political life.
PRIMARY SOURCE
Yes, my countrymen, . . . I am clearly of opinion it is your interest to adopt
it [the Constitution]. I am convinced that this is the safest course for your
liberty, your dignity, and your happiness.
Patrick Henry
CRITICAL THINKING Analyze What was it about a strong
federal government that frightened the Antifederalists?
John Jay
250 Chapter 8
INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITY
CONNECT
to Civics
Create a Public Service
Announcement
Explain that a public service announcement
(PSA) on TV or radio seeks to inform viewers or
listeners about an issue. In general, these PSAs
are supposed to be in the public interest and
broadcast by the station at no charge (unlike
other commercials, which companies pay for to
advertise their goods or services). Ask students
if they have seen or heard any PSAs recently.
(Possible Answers: anti-littering campaigns,
ways to conserve energy or water in the home,
fitness promotions)
Have students imagine that they have been
asked to create a PSA about ratification of the
Constitution. Students’ PSAs should not take
a position on ratification, but rather explain
both positions and encourage voters to become
informed so they can vote responsibly on the
issue. Students should work in small groups to
create a script and any props. Then they should
rehearse their script and present their PSA to the
class.
CHAPTER 8 • SECTION 3
Concerns of the Antifederalists The
Antifederalists thought the Constitution
took too much power away from the states
and did not guarantee rights for the people.
Some feared that a strong president might
be declared king. Others feared the Senate
might become a powerful ruling class.
In either case, they thought, the liberties
fiercely won during the Revolution might
be lost.
Antifederalists received support from
rural areas, where people feared a strong
government that might add to their tax
burden. Large states and those with strong
economies, such as New York, which had
greater freedom under the Articles of Confederation, also were unsupportive of the
Constitution at first.
More About . . .
Campaigning for
the Constitution
COMPARE AND CONTRAST Describe the disagreements between Federalists
and Antifederalists.
Answer: Federalists: support the Constitution: Antifederalists: wary of the
Constitution and of emergence of a ruling class.
The Battle for Ratification
KEY QUESTION How did the lack of a bill of rights endanger the Constitution?
The proposed U.S. Constitution contained no guarantee that the government would protect the rights of the people, or of the states. Some supporters of the Constitution, including Thomas Jefferson, wanted to add a bill
of rights—a formal summary of citizens’ rights and freedoms, as a set of
amendments to the Constitution.
New Yorkers cheer a “Ship
of State” float in honor of
the new Constitution of
1798. Why did Alexander
Hamilton deserve a float in
his honor?
Answer: Hamilton
played a key role in
the ratification of the
Constitution.
The debate over ratification of the
Constitution gripped the entire nation.
Leaders on both sides took to the streets
with parades to support their positions.
(Supporters of the Constitution organized
the parade illustrated here.) The Federalists
are generally considered to have mounted
the more effective political campaign,
thanks to national leaders such as Hamilton.
Antifederalists, meanwhile, lacked similar
national leadership—a key weakness
that would help the Federalists emerge
victorious.
Unit 3 Resource Book
• Connect Geography & History,
pp. 175–176
• Primary and Secondary Sources,
pp. 180–181
The Call for a Bill of Rights Virginia’s convention opened in June of 1788.
Antifederalist Patrick Henry fought against ratification, or approval, of the
Constitution. George Mason, who had been a delegate to the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia, also was opposed to it.
Antifederalists wanted written guarantees that the people would have
freedom of speech, of the press, and of religion. They demanded assurance
of the right to trial by jury and the right to bear arms.
Federalists insisted that the Constitution granted only limited powers to
the national government so that it could not violate the rights of the states
or of the people. They also pointed out that the Constitution gave the people
the power to protect their rights through the election of trustworthy leaders.
In the end, Federalists yielded to the people’s demands and promised to add
a bill of rights if the states ratified the Constitution.
Final Ratification In December 1787, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania voted for ratification. In January 1788, Georgia and Connecticut
ratified the Constitution, followed by Massachusetts in early February. By
Confederation to Constitution 251
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION
Struggling Readers
English Learners
Compare and
Contrast Arguments
Vocabulary: Word
Relationships
Provide students with an oral summary
of one basic disagreement, such as the
following about the need for a bill of
rights: Antifederalists argued that the
Constitution contained no guarantees
of personal freedoms. Federalists
argued that citizens would be protected
by electing trustworthy leaders.
Ask students to compare the two
arguments. Which argument do they
support? Why?
Read aloud the section entitled, “The
Call for a Bill of Rights,” pausing to ask
for words or phrases that present the
arguments of the Antifederalists and the
Federalists. Have students point out the
words that indicate the argument is over
(in the end) and the words that indicate
the outcome (the Federalists yielded).
Teach
The Battle for Ratification
Roleplay Your Answer
• Why did the Federalists promise to add a Bill
of Rights to the Constitution? (to persuade
reluctant states to ratify the Constitution)
• What worried Virginian Antifederalists about
the provision for majority rule? (Unlike the
Articles of Confederation, the Constitution did
not allow a state or a minority of states to
block passage of objectionable legislation.)
• Compare and Contrast What do you
think was the strongest reason for supporting
ratification and the strongest reason for
opposing it? (Supporting: would create a
stronger national government; Opposing—
lacked guarantees protecting citizen rights)
Teacher’s Edition • 251