FEDERALISTS VS. ANTI -FEDERALISTS

Ratification

A Showdown Awaits

For ratification, nine state conventions needed to approve the document

After the convention, the Constitution was distributed widely in the states

Two sides, clearly opposed, emerged Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists (pro-constitution) – James Madison and Alexander Hamilton

Anti-Federalists (anti-constitution) – Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Samuel Adams

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

John Hancock and Patrick Henry

The Viewpoints

Federalists For Fixed the Articles of

Confederation Division of power between

national and state governments

President to enforce laws Raised money through

taxes Standing army Bring stability and peace

to the states Fixed economic problems

of the states

Anti-Federalists Against No Bill of Rights Federal taxation would

hurt the economy Too much power for

central government Limited power for state

governments No religious requirements Doesn’t mention God Don’t like standing army Thought president may

evolve into a monarchy

Nine States Ratify

The ratification process was hotly contested in most states

Delaware was the first

New Hampshire was the ninth on June 21, 1788

New York and Virginia had yet to ratify Union could not

succeed without these states

Virginia and New York

Virginia Federalists led by

Madison and Marshall Anti-Federalists led by

Henry and Mason George Washington

threw his support behind the Federalists Able to sway Jefferson

They ratify 89-79

New York The Federalist is

published to campaign 85 essays written by

Hamilton (51), Madison (29) and Jay (5)

Originally written as letters

New York ratifies on July 26, 1788

11 states have now adopted the constitution

John Jay and The Federalist

The New Government

Picked New York as a temporary capitalFirst Wednesday in January to select electors for

presidentFirst Wednesday in February to vote for presidentFirst Wednesday in March for inauguration of

presidentVotes were not counted until April 6th (lack of

quorum) George Washington is unanimously elected president

Takes office on April 30, 1789John Adams was elected vice president

George Washington and John Adams