Lesson 13 Flashcards
Ratification
Official way to confirm something
Amending articles required approval by
Congress and confirmation by legislatures of 13 states
Philadelphia conventions purpose as to
Recommend amendments to articles
Delegates knew that many members of congress and state gives would
Oppose the constitution because it reduces state powers
It would be impossible to get
All 13 states to ratify
Delegates to ratifying conventions would be elected by
Popular vote
Plan for ratification: example of
Social contract theory (consent of governed)
Ratifying conventions also reflected recent history when
State constitutions were ratified by people
Debate over adopting the constitution began
Within the Philadelphia convention
George mason wrote a list of
Objections on a draft copy of the constitution
As soon as delegates released the proposed constitution
Opposition emerged
The U.S. Would fail to survive as a single nation of any of the large important states
Failed to ratify
Ratification debates took place largely in
Newspapers and pamphlets
Anti federalist a states their
Objections to the constitution
Masons concerns were printed as a
Pamphlet
Several anti federalist a had been
Delegates in Philadelphia
Yates wrote 16
Anti federalist essays under the pen name Brutus
Mercy Otis warren and Richard Henry Lee were
Important anti federalists
Both federalists and anti federalists believes in the use of
Readoned discourse to educate citizenry
Most wrote on pseudonyms so that they wouldn’t be
Judges by reputation
Anti federalists believed in basic ideas of republicanism including the idea that
Greatest governing power should be placed in a legislature composed of elected representatives
Idea that representative government could work only in
Small communities
Anti federalists believed that a large diverse state could not
Sustain a republic
It would be difficult for people to watch over activities of
Their reps whole living away from the seat of gov
Yates argued that once a gov operates at a distance from its citizens it can no longer
Reflect their character or wishes
To maintain authority such a gov would use
Force instead of consent
Distant national govs taxation will leave little money for
Local govs
Anti federalists believed that people living in small communities are more likely to
Possess civic virtue
Social and cultural institutions that best cultivate civic virtue work more effectively in
Small communities
Anti feds believed that constitution would create a gov that people
Could not control
Size and diversity wee opposite of a
Small republic
A strong national government in a large nation would be prone to
Abuses that have destroyed republics in the past
Each branch in gov had potential for
Tyranny
(Anti federalists arguments) constitution gives congress power to make any laws. There is no adequate limitation on Congress’s powers. Powers of state legislatures and liberties of the people
Could not be taken from them
(Anti federalists arguments) president of he is has unlimited power to grant powers for crimes: could use this power to
Protect accomplices to prevent he discovery of his own crimes
(Anti federalists arguments) national courts have so much power: can destroy
Judicial branches of state governments. And most would not be able to adore to have cases heard because of travel
Rich would have advantage
(Anti federalists arguments) checks and balances could be turned against
Peoples liberties
(Anti federalists arguments) constitution states that treaties are supreme law of the land and treaties can be made with approval of senate:
Senate can act without approval of the house
(Anti federalists arguments) powers of executive and legislative are mixed:
President and confess could conspire to legislate and undermine state and local governments
Constitution did not make a truly
Representative national gov
Elected members of congress would not be able to know, or reflect characteristics of
Constituents
An elite privileged group would dominate the
National government
Lack of bill of rights was one of the
Stronger weapons of anti federalists
(Arguments about bill of rights) national gov doesn’t adequately
Protect rights
(Arguments about bill of rights) only house is chosen directly by people. National gov too far removed from average citizens to
Understand or reflect their concerns
Nation gov could violate citizens rights
(Arguments about bill of rights) national govs powers are so general and vague so as to be
Nearly unlimited. Welfare clauses seem dangerous
(Arguments about bill of rights) nothing in constitution to keep national gov from
Violating all rights that it doesn’t explicitly protect
(Arguments about bill of rights) state constitutions contain bill of rights. If people need protection from weak state govs they will
Need protection from a more power national gov
(Arguments about bill of rights) a bill of rights is necessary to remind people of
Principles of our political system
Many antifreeze hoped for a second
Constitutional convention
Anti-federalist a
Those who opposed federalism and the constitution
