Lesson 4-3: Ratifying the Constitution Flashcards
How long did it take to draft the Constitution?
Four months
What was the reaction to the Constitution when newspapers printed it for the public?
Shock; there were many radical changes, if not a complete revision, of the Articles of Confederation
How did the public’s reaction almost backfire against the Founding Father’s hopes to unite the nation?
The public started to differ in opinion about the Constitution and disputes broke out.
The framers of the Constitution created a procedure for the states to ratify the Constitution. What were the steps of this procedure?
1) Voters in each state would elect the delegates to the convention
2) The delegates would then accept or reject the Constitution
Ratification
Official approval
The Constitution required how many states to ratify it?
9 out of 13
The system bypassed _____________. Why?
State legislatures; they would likely reject the Constitution
- The Constitution technically reduced the power of the states (which had more power under the Articles of Confederation)
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution
What did the Federalists specifically favor about the Constitution?
Its balance of power between the state and national government
Antifederalists
Those who opposed the Constitution
Why did the Antifederalists oppose the Constitution?
They thought having a strong centralized government would take away the rights of the states and individual rights.
What did the Federalists argue that a system of checks and balances and the division of powers would do?
Protect the country from the tyranny of a strong centralized authority.
What did the Antifederalists counter on this point?
- That a strong centralized government could…
1) Serve the interest of wealthy factions and ignore the rights of the majority
2) Not handle the affairs of such a large country
Leading argument of the Antifederalists
The Constitution does not provide protection of individual rights.
Who were some leading Federalists?
1) Alexander Hamilton
2) George Washington
3) James Madison
4) John Adams
Who supported the Federalists and why?
- Merchants, laborers, skilled workers; because a strong central government could regulate trade.
- Small states with weak economies; a strong central government could look out for their interests.
Who were some leading Antifederalists?
1) Richard Henry Lee
2) Samuel Adams
3) Patrick Henry
Who supported the Antifederalists and why?
- Rural areas; a strong central government might add on to their tax burdens.
- Large states; wanted to preserve their power that was given to them by the Articles of Confederation
The Federalist/Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays defending the Constitution that appeared in New York newspapers between 1787 and 1788.
Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
1) John Jay
2) James Madison
3) Alexander Hamilton
Under what pseudonym were the Federalist Papers written?
Publius
What was the main goal of the Federalist Papers?
To explain and provide an analysis on the Constitutional provisions on the separation of powers, individual rights, and the limits on the power of the majorities.
What was initially the most widely read Antifederalist publication?
Letters from the Federal Farmer; most likely written by Richard Henry Lee
What content was within Letters from the Federal Farmer?
A list of rights that the Antifederalists believed should be protected, including…
1) Freedom of speech, press, and religion
2) Prohibition of unreasonable seizures and searches of people and their homes
3) The right to a trial by jury