Ratifying the Constitution
By: Caroline Hagan
Federalists and Antifederalists
- Americans were divided when the constitution was made public. Antifederalists were against the Constitution. Federalists supported the Constitution.
- A main reason that people opposed the Constitution was that it did not have a section that secured people's individual rights. George Mason, a delegate, was an Antifederalist because of this.
- Federalists and Antifederalists differed on whether to publish the Constitution. They made pamphlets and gave speeches advocating their beliefs.
Federalist Papers
- One of the main defenses for the Constitution was the Federalist Papers. This was a set of essays that backed up the Constitution.
- The Constitution only needed nine states to pass it, but they all states to ratify it if they wanted to establish and preserve it.
- The Constitution was put into effect in June 1778.
Bill of Rights
- Some states ratified the Constitution only because they were promised that a bill would be added securing individual rights.
- James Madison wanted a bill of rights to be a first priority of the new government.
- Twelve amendments were suggested by Congress in September 1789 and sent to the states to be ratified.
- By December 1971 the Bill of rights, ten of the amendments were ratified.
Sources Cited
- Holt McDougal United States History- Copyright 2012