Ratifying the Constitution
I. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
• a. To win ratification (approval), 9 of 13 states
had to approve Constitution
• b. Constitution published, and Americans
shocked
– i. Thought Articles would just be revised, not
replaced
– ii. Divided Americans
• Anti-Federalists
• Federalists
– Favor ratification
– Mostly wealthy
merchants, planters,
lawyers
– Favor a strong national
government
(federalism)
– Opposed ratification
– Believed a powerful
central government
would destroy states’
rights
• c. Some worried that a lack of a Bill of Rights
would mean individual rights lost
• d. Debate arose in states’ ratifying conventions
• e. But, by May 29, 1790, all 13 states had
ratified the Constitution
Wrap Up
• Based on what you read regarding the
mixed opinions of the Constitution,
would you support or oppose
ratification?