Ratification of The Constitution

Amendment

A change to the Constitution

The Federalist Papers

A series of eighty-five political essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

The Ratification Process for Approving The Constitution

At least 9 of 13 states voting in special conventions had to ratify the Constitution

James Madison

Federalist and primary author of the Bill of rights

Ratification

Formal approval

Publius

Madison, Hamilton and John Jay's pen names when they wrote federalist papers

The Ratification Process for Amending the U.S Constitution

Proposal: 2/3rds of the Congress must approve proposing an amendment (Change) to the Constitution. Ratification: 3/4ths of the states, voting either in special elections, or state conventions must vote to ratify (approve) an amendment to the Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government.

New York

The center of early American trade and business, our financial capital, for this reason New York's ratification of the Constitution was essential to having the men responsible for building a strong national economy in support of the new National Government.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Virginia

The most populous of the 13 original states, for this reason Virginia's ratification of the Constitution was essential to having the consent of the majority of the population.

1791

The year that the Bill of Rights was ratified, officially becoming a part of the Constitution.

1788

The year the Constitution was ratified when New Hampshire became the 9th State to approve it in June of that year.

Anti-Federalists

a group of people who opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they feared a strong national government and a lack of protection for individual rights