Summary and Main Ideas
Summary
Anti-Federalists objected to the power the Constitution gave the federal government and the absence of a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. The Federalists countered that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation and promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, in particular, argued in favor of ratification and sought to convince people that the new government would not become tyrannical. Finally, in June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, making it the law of the land. The large and prosperous states of Virginia and New York followed shortly thereafter, and the remaining states joined as well.
Review Questions
1. Why did so many people oppose ratification of the Constitution, and how was their opposition partly overcome?
Glossary
Federalists: those who supported ratification of the Constitution
The Federalist Papers: a collection of eighty-five essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of ratification of the Constitution
This lesson is part of:
American Constitutions and Origins