The debate over ratifying the Constitution, and why a Bill of Rights was added

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   The ratification debate (1787 to 1788)

   Box Federalists: supported the new Constitution; wrote the Federalist essays: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay; 85 essays, most by Hamilton. Box Anti-Federalists: opposed the Constitution as written; feared a central government too strong, and the loss of state power; attacked the lack of a bill of rights. Box The states: ratifying conventions in each state; nine states were needed to put the Constitution into effect. Arrows: from Federalists to The states: urged to ratify; from Anti-Federalists to The states: urged to reject or amend. Line 1 (Constitution (1787), Article VII; as printed in 1840, p. 14): "The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same."

2. 1.

   Who supported the new Constitution, Milo asks?

   • The king of Britain
   • The Federalists
   • Rhode Island's voters
   • The Anti-Federalists
3. 2.

   By line 1, how many state conventions had to ratify, Ren asks?

   • Nine
   • Five
   • Thirteen
   • Seven
4. 3.

   In line 1, who ratifies: conventions or legislatures, Tala asks?

   • The conventions of the states
   • The state legislatures and governors
   • The president
   • The Congress alone
5. 4.

   How many Federalist essays were there, Zee asks?

   • 13
   • 9
   • 51
   • 85
6. 5.

   Ari reads the word ratify. What does ratify mean?

   • To write the first draft
   • To read aloud
   • To reject at once
   • To approve formally
7. 6.

   Bo reads the words bill of rights. What is a bill of rights?

   • A list of new laws to pass this year
   • A list of taxes owed
   • A list of protected rights
   • A list of the states
8. 7.

   Esme reads the word Anti-Federalist. What does the prefix anti- mean?

   • Against
   • Under
   • For
   • Before
9. 8.

   What did the Anti-Federalists fear, Jun asks?

   • Too weak a central government, like the Articles
   • Too few essays
   • Too many bills of rights
   • Too strong a central government
10. 9.

    Where did each side send its arguments, by the arrows, Kira asks?

    • To the king
    • To the states' conventions
    • To each other, and no one else
    • To France
11. 10.

    What did the Anti-Federalists urge the states to do, Luz asks?

    • To reject or amend it
    • To ratify it as written
    • To elect a king
    • To keep the British