Creating a RepublicCreating a Republic

Part 4

The Bill of Rights

and Good Citizenship

Just because the majority of the members of the

Constitutional Convention had signed the document

didn’t mean it automatically became the law. At least 9 out of the 13 original states had to RATIFY or approve it.

Many people in the states broke into two groups:

FEDERALISTS

ANTI-FEDERALISTS

FederalistsFederalists Favored a Favored a strongstrong national national

government.government. Thought the Constitution would Thought the Constitution would

protect the basic rights of people.protect the basic rights of people. Were led by men such as James Were led by men such as James

Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay who wrote “The Federalist John Jay who wrote “The Federalist Papers”, which defended the Papers”, which defended the Constitution.Constitution.

Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists Feared the Constitution would Feared the Constitution would

make the national government make the national government too strongtoo strong, and would weaken , and would weaken state governments.state governments.

Thought Congress and the Thought Congress and the President would be President would be too strongtoo strong..

Were concerned that there was Were concerned that there was not a not a Bill of RightsBill of Rights..

A tense battle developed in some states between the two sides.

Alexander Hamilton, John

Adams, and John Jay wrote a series

of 85 essays called “The

Federalist Papers” to support the Constitution.

One by one the states debated the Constitution and began to ratify it. By June of 1788, 9 out of the 13

states had ratified the Constitution, so it could now become the law of the land. However, two large states,

Virginia and New York, had not yet approved it. Fortunately, they

eventually did, and the country was more unified.

Ratification Ratification of the of the

ConstitutionConstitution

State For Against

Date

Delaware 30 0 12/7/1787

Pennsylvania 46 23 12/12/1787

New Jersey 38 0 12/18/1787

Georgia 26 0 1/2/1788

Connecticut 128 40 1/9/1788

Massachusetts

187 168 2/6/1788

Maryland 63 11 4/28/1788

South Carolina

149 73 5/23/1788

New Hampshire

57 47 6/21/1788

Virginia 89 79 6/25/1788

New York 30 27 7/26/1788

North Carolina

194 77 11/21/1789

Rhode Island 34 32 5/29/1790

The Nation CelebratedThe Nation Celebrated The first election was held, with The first election was held, with

George Washington winning all the George Washington winning all the electoral votes.electoral votes.

Congress had 59 Representatives Congress had 59 Representatives and 22 Senators (North Carolina and 22 Senators (North Carolina and Rhode Island had yet to ratify.)and Rhode Island had yet to ratify.)

New York City was the first capital.New York City was the first capital.

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of RightsSome states had been hesitant to accept the Constitution unless a Bill of Rights was included. A BILL OF RIGHTS is a document that lists freedoms the government must protect. The creators of the Constitution created the AMENDMENT process in case changes ever needed to be made.

The Amendment ProcessThe Amendment Process Either Either 2/3 of both houses2/3 of both houses of Congress of Congress

propose the amendment, or propose the amendment, or 2/3 of 2/3 of statesstates can have special conventions. can have special conventions.

Then, Then, 3/4 of the states3/4 of the states must approve must approve the amendment.the amendment.

In over 200 years, there have only been In over 200 years, there have only been 27 amendments27 amendments. Of those, the first 10 . Of those, the first 10 were passed shortly after the Constitution were passed shortly after the Constitution was ratified.was ratified.

The second The second method has method has never been never been

used.used.

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of

Rights. They were created to ensure basic freedoms, and to

make sure the government treated citizens fairly.

They were ratified on

December 15, 1791

Amendment #1 Amendment #1

The 5 Freedoms

1. Religion2. Speech3. The Press4. To Assemble5. To Petition

Amendment #2Amendment #2

The Right to

Keep and Bear Arms

Amendment #3Amendment #3

Lodging Troops in Private Homes

Amendment #4Amendment #4

Protection Against Unlawful Searches and Seizures

Amendment #5Amendment #5

Rights of the Accused

Amendment #6Amendment #6

The Right to a Speedy and

Public Trial for Criminal Offenses

Amendment Amendment #7#7

The Right to a Jury Trial in Civil Cases

Involving More Than $20

Amendment #8Amendment #8

Excessive Bail and

Punishments

Amendment #9Amendment #9

Protection of Other

Rights Not Mentioned

in the Constituti

on

Amendment #10Amendment #10

Powers Left to the States or to the People

Never Take Your Citizenship For Granted.Never Take Your Citizenship For Granted.Some people wait a lifetime to become an Some people wait a lifetime to become an

American!American!

There are 5 steps that There are 5 steps that can lead you to be can lead you to be

more than just a citizen.more than just a citizen.Strive to be aStrive to be a

Model Citizen!!! Model Citizen!!!

RegularCitizen

KnowYourRights

BeResponsible

StayInformed

MakeGood

Decisions

ParticipateIn Your

Community

Model Citizen

Step #1 – Know Your RightsStep #1 – Know Your Rights

Freedom of ReligionFreedom of Religion Freedom of SpeechFreedom of Speech Freedom of the Freedom of the

PressPress Freedom of Freedom of

AssemblyAssembly Freedom of PetitionFreedom of Petition

The Right to VoteThe Right to Vote

1789-White male 1789-White male property owners over property owners over age 21age 21

By 1850s-All white males By 1850s-All white males over age 21over age 21

1870-Black males1870-Black males 1920-Females1920-Females 1961-Residents of D. C.1961-Residents of D. C. 1971-Citizens over age 1971-Citizens over age

1818

First Amendment First Amendment LibertiesLiberties

Step #2 – Be ResponsibleStep #2 – Be Responsible

Under 18:

*Get an Education

*Take Responsibility for Your Own Actions

*Help Your Family

All Ages:*Obey rules and

laws*Be tolerant of

others*Pay taxes

*Volunteer for causes

*Stay informed

Over 18:

*Vote*Serve on a jury

*Serve in the military to

defend the country

Step #3 – Stay InformedStep #3 – Stay Informed

Know the issues by Know the issues by taking time to taking time to study current study current events.events.

Learn who Learn who candidates are in candidates are in elections.elections.

Never be afraid to Never be afraid to ask questions!!!ask questions!!!

Step #4 – Make Good DecisionsStep #4 – Make Good Decisions

Identify theProblem

Gather Information

Analyze theInformation

ConsiderOptions

Choose aSolution

Implement theSolution

Evaluate theSolution

Step #5 – Participate in Your Step #5 – Participate in Your CommunityCommunity

If you see a If you see a cause you cause you believe in, get believe in, get out there and out there and support it!support it!

Individuals CAN Individuals CAN and DO make a and DO make a difference!!!difference!!!