| Background:
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the
summer of 1787 was full of conflict and compromise.
Yet as the convention drew to a close, some of the
biggest debates were just beginning. According to the
Constitution, nine of the thirteen states needed to
ratify the document before it could go into effect
(although most acknowledged that without the support
of all the states, the government would struggle with
legitimacy). It would take almost three years for all
thirteen states to ratify the Constitution. Some states
ratified quickly, with little debate. But some of the
most powerful states including Massachusetts, Virginia
and New York became battlegrounds between those who
supported ratification of the Constitution, the Federalists,
and those who opposed it, the Anti-Federalists. New
York was the last of those states to ratify the Constitution
with a close vote of 30 in favor and 27 against. New
York delegates joined in the call for a Bill of Rights
to be added to the Constitution as a condition for
ratification.
This lesson is designed to impress upon students that
the Constitution, a document so revered today, was hotly
debated at its inception. The lesson also asks students
to consider what may have shaped the differing viewpoints
on the Constitution. This particular case study is set
in New York, but the activity could be set in any of
the states that had a strong debate over ratification.
Objectives
- Students will analyze primary documents in order
to identify differing views on the ratification of
the Constitution.
- Students will apply their understanding of these
viewpoints as they develop profiles for fictional
characters.
- Students will debate ratification from various
positions in a town hall forum.
- Students will be able to explain why New Yorkers
(and Americans in general) disagreed on ratification
of the Constitution.
Activity 1 – Motivation
- In groups, pairs or individually, have students
examine a chart or map listing each of the states,
when they ratified the Constitution, and how many
votes were cast for and against ratification. Ask
students to list:
- General Observations
- Observations about your state’s Ratification
Vote
- Questions raised by the information
For a map detailing ratification see:
http://www.cqpress.com/incontext/constitution/docs/struggle_
ratification.html
For a chart of the state-by-state ratification
vote see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution
- Debrief: As a class, chart students’ observations
and questions. Give students a couple of minutes
to brainstorm theories on why New York was one of
the last states to ratify the Constitution and why
the vote was so close. Add theories to the chart.
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