1. Ratification
• The work of the
Constitution was
completed by Sept. 17,
1787
• Some delegates left
unhappy
• Ben Franklin: “It will
astonish our enemies”
• 39 delegates signed
• People have to now
approve
• 9 of 13 states to ratifty

2. Ratification Struggle
• A conflict emerges over
the Constitution.
• Federalists
vs.
Anti-Federalists
• 1. Federalists: Led by
James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, and
John Jay.
• wanted the Constitution.
• 2. Anti-Federalists: Led
by Thomas Jefferson.
• did not want the
Constitution.

3. FEDERALISTS:
1. Strong national
government.
2. Gov’t controlled by
wealthy, educated
citizens.
3. Policies favorable to
trade, business, and
finance.
4. A national bank.
5. Protective tariffs.
6. Strong ties with Great
Britain, but not with
France.
ANTI-FEDERALISTS:
1. Limited national
government.
2. Gov’t controlled by
ordinary citizens.
3. Policies favorable to
farmers, artisans, and
skilled workers.
4. State banks.
5. Free Trade.
6. Strong ties with
France, but not with
Great Britain.

4. • Anti-Federalists: central
government would be too
powerful and would take
away the rights of the people.
• -Federalists: gov’t could not
take away rights of citizens
because states had
constitutions that contained
bills of rights that protected
citizens rights, said new gov’t
could handle problems in
nations such as taxes, money,
foreign affairs.
• -Federalists wrote series of
essays to promote the new
Constitution. Essays called
the Federalist Papers.
• -Federalist Papers: Essays
written to explain the
Constitution and promote its
ratification.
• *1788: 9th state ratifies the
Constitution and it goes into
effect.

5. Ratification
• Delaware – Dec. 7, 1787
then NJ and GA then
MASS, PA, Connecticut,
Maryland, SC
• 187 to 168 vote
• Passes because promise
of Bill of Rights
• June 1788 New
Hampshire makes ninth
state
• *still needed NY and VA
– late June ratify
• Nov 1789 NC
• Spring 1790 RI

6. Americans Prepare for the New
Government:
• Under the Constitution,
the new gov’t would be
based in New York City.
• Elections were planned
for states to select their
senators,
representatives, and
members of the
Electoral College.
• =Educated, propertied
men determine fate of
national economic
policy and foreign
relations*

7. Bill of Rights
• 1-4 general rights of
Americans
• 5-8 protect rights of
arrested
• 9-10 limit of new
government