Ratification of the Constitution Notes

• When was the Constitution signed?

  September 17, 1787
• What had to happen next?

  Ratification by the states
• What are the two political groups that emerge?

  • Federalists (pro-constitution)
  • Anti-federalists (anti-constitution)
• Why were some people concerned with the Constitution?

  • The federal government being too powerful
  • Lack of states' rights
  • No protections of individual liberties
  • Gov. favored the wealthy
• When did the ratification debates take place?

  1788 - 1789
• How many states were needed to ratify it?

  9 out of 13 states needed to ratify it
• Which states were the Federalists most concerned with getting to ratify it? Why?

  Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York, because they're the biggest and most influential states
• Who was Alexander Hamilton?

  Founding father from New York
• Where did Hamilton live? How did this influence him?

  He lived in New York, where the government is corrupt and the governor acts like a king
• Which side does he join?

  Federalists
• What is his major strategy?

  Newspaper
• Who does he get to join him?

  James Madison and John Jay
• What does this group do?

  Write anonymous letters in support of the Constitution
• What are their writings known as?

  The Federalist Papers
• What are four major themes throughout the 85 letters?

  • Benefits of a strong federal government
  • Criticism of the Articles of Confederation
  • Support of the Constitution
  • Discussions of the costs of freedom
• What state was the first to ratify the Constitution?

  Delaware was first; December 7, 1787
• What number was Massachusetts?

  6th, February 9th, 1788
• What state was the 9th? What did this do?

  New Hampshire, Constitution goes into affect (ratified June 21, 1788)
• When had all 13 states ratified it by?


  May 1790
• Why did the states ultimately agree to ratify the Constitution?

  The Bill of Rights was added
• What did this document do?

  Protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal governent
• When was it ratified?

  1791