A New Plan of Government

A More Perfect Union: 1777-1791

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

As Constitution was sent out to states for ratification… Citizens saw it printed in newspapers

and pamphlets Met w/ great debate

Framers knew this would happen and began campaigning for its’ ratification

People feared all the power this new federal gov’t had & loss of states’ rts. Framers argued it was based on

Federalism System where states and federal gov’t

shared rts.

People who supported this new gov’t called Federalists

People who opposed it called Anti-Federalists Thought took too much power from

states Fearful b/c did not list protected rts. Feared a single Chief Executive would

take power declaring himself a King Mostly though…

Feared new liberties and freedoms won in war would disappear!

The Federalist Papers Federalists didn’t just sit there while Anti-

Feds attacked the Constitution Began writing campaign of letters and

essays to explain Become known as the Federalist Papers

Appealed to peoples’ common sense, emotions, and reason

Wrote by… James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, & John

Jay Did have important advantage over Anti-

Feds b/c newspapers supported the Constitution

Gave much more positive publicity to cause

Still faced serious opposition in Mass, NC, NY, RI, & VA Led by…

John and Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason

If some of these big time states didn’t ratify…

US might not survive

Weak Articles of Confederation made US easy target for conquer by Spanish who controlled other half of continent

Battle 4 Ratificati

on

By Dec. 1787- Delaware, NJ, & PA had became first

to ratify GA, CT, and Mass. Soon followed

By June 1788… 9 of 13 had signed (it was now

official!!!) Fight not over though…

NY & VA didn’t vote yet! w/o VA, Constitution would be w/o

support of its biggest state who could become its own country

NY could do the same, and w/ NY its own country the US would be separated into 2 parts!

VA’s legislature meets to decide Patrick Henry and George Mason are

the key leaders against signing it Both refused to sign unless a list of

protected rights was added Bill of Rights

James Madison convinces VA that if they vote to ratify, he will insist that a Bill of Rights be added later

VA ratifies at the end of June

News of VA signing hits NY and they soon follow suit

RI is last to sign in 1790

The Bill of RightsFor some states, only sign

Constitution into law if amended to include a list of rights Believed needed to make sure

gov’t couldn’t trample their liberty

1789- James Madison begins drafting this list of rights of citizens In the end a list of 10

amendments (changes) were sent out to be ratified by states

1791- VA cast final vote to approve and attach the “Bill of Rights”

"The Bill of Rights" by Rythem, Rhyme, & Results

ChorusIt's the Bill of Rights, it's the bill of your rightsIt's time to take your knowledge up to unfamiliar heightsThe thrill of your life, just like riding a bikeYou're never, never, never going to forget the Bill of Rights

Verse IThe right to free speech and religion and pressAre guaranteed by Amendment OneAmendment Number Two says it's true, that it's all up to youIf you choose to possess a gun

The government can't force you to house and feed a soldierSays Amendment Number ThreeAmendment Number Four we adore says without a warrantYour stuff can't be searched or seized

Chorus (x2)

Verse IIAmendment Number Five says the court can't try youWith evidence they already usedIt also says that nobody can make you self-incriminateYou're allowed to stay silent if you choose.

Amendment Number Six won't let the criminal clock tickThe rights of the accused continue here, and thenAmendment Number Seven gives you one plus eleven:A right to a trial by a jury of your peers

If it's cruel and unusual punishmentIt's ruled out by Amendment EightAmendment Number Nine says that other rights are fineAnd Ten gives the rest to the states.

Chorus (x2)