Topic: Ratifying the Constitution Ch. 5.4
MAIN IDEAS
Federalists and
Antifederalists
NOTES:

Constitution was made public and created a huge debate
among Americans
o Antifederalists- people who opposed the Constitution
 Gave too much power to federal government
 Did not have a section on individual rights
 small farmers
 Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry and George
Mason
o Federalists- supporters of the Constitution
 Believed it offered a good balance of power
 Wealthy planters, farmers and lawyers.
 James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin
Franklin and Alexander Hamilton
 Had to convince people a change was needed
and that the gov’t would not be too powerful

A series of essays to defend the Constitution
o Tried to reassure Americans that the government
would not overpower the states.
Published anonymously
Reprinted in newspapers around the country
o Published as a book in 1788
Constitution needed 9 states to pass it, but all to ratify it.
o Delaware was the first
o Needed large states to pass (NY, Virginia)
 When Virginia did, so did the rest.
 RI was the last in 1790.
Federalist Papers



Bill of Rights
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Antifederalists didn’t believe the Constitution protected
personal freedoms.
Federalists felt that the Constitution was already a bill of rights.
o Written to protect the liberty of all U.S. citizens
Congress’s first session, James Madison encouraged
legislators to create a bill of rights.
o Added to the Constitution as amendments
 Proposed amendments must be approved by
2/3 majority in both houses and ¾ of states
o States ratified 10 amendments in 1791
 Showed that the constitution can fit the needs
of a changing nation.
Topic: Ratifying the Constitution Ch. 5.4
MAIN IDEAS
SUMMARY
NOTES: