DBQ: Ratifying the Constitution



Documents 1

This excerpt is from a newspaper, The Massachusetts Sentinel, October 20, 1787.

Let us look and [see] the [problems that exist] in every part of our country . . . the complaints of our farmers . . . the complaints of every class of [people who loan money] . . . the [sad] faces of our working people . . . our ships rotting in our harbors . . . the insults that are [made against America] in every court in Europe . . . View these things, fellow citizens, and then say that we do not require a new, a protecting, and efficient federal [national] government if you can.

Why does the editor of this newspaper support ratifying the Constitution?

Document 2

This excerpt from "Observations on the New Federal Constitution and on the Federal and State Conventions," by Mercy Otis Warren.

There is no security in the system [under the proposed new U.S. Constitution] either for the rights of [people with different ideas] or the liberty of the press . . . The executive and the legislature are so dangerously [combined] that [it should cause people to be alarmed] . . . There is no [system] for [making sure that power does not stay] in the same hands for life.

Why was Mercy Otis Warren against the new Constitution?

Document 3

These excerpts are adapted from a letter written by George Washington to John Jay, dated August 1, 1786. In these lines, Washington is agreeing with Jay’s criticism of the Articles of Confederation.

Your [opinion], that our [situation is quickly coming] to a crisis, [agree] with my own ... We have errors to correct. We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation (i.e. the Articles of Confederation) . . . thirteen [powerful], independent, disunited States are in the habit of . . . refusing [to obey our national Congress] . . . [I pray that we can act in time to prevent the bad things we fear may happen].

What did Washington in favor of ratifying the Constitution?

Document 4

This excerpt is from a speech by Patrick Henry, a delegate to the Virginia State Constitutional Ratification Convention, given in June 1788.

[The Constitution] is a [proposal] as [big a change] as [the document] which separated us from Great Britain (i.e. the Declaration of Independence). [It is such a major change because it has the following effect]; our rights and privileges are endangered [by the new Constitution], and the [power] of the states will be [given up] . . . The rights of [free thought], trial by jury, liberty of the press . . . are [placed in danger].

Why does Patrick Henry oppose the Constitution?

Document 5

I disapproved from the first moment... the want of a bill of rights [in the new Constitution] to guard liberty against the legislative as well as the executive branches of the government." --Thomas Jefferson

I hope, therefore, a bill of rights will be formed to guard the people against the federal government as they are already guarded against their State governments, in most instances.- Jefferson

Why is a Bill Of Rights necessary in the constitution, according to Jefferson

Document 6

If you give up these powers, without a bill of rights, you will exhibit the most absurd thing to mankind that ever the world saw . You have disposed (given power to) of them to Congress, without a bill of rights — without check, limitation, or control. And still you have checks and guards; still you keep barriers — pointed where? Pointed against your weakened, prostrated, enervated state government! You have a bill of rights to defend you against the state government, which is bereaved of all power, and yet you have none against Congress, though in full and exclusive possession of all power! You arm yourselves against the weak and defenceless, and expose yourselves naked to the armed and powerful. Is not this a conduct of unexampled absurdity? What barriers have you to oppose to this most strong, energetic government? To that government you have nothing to oppose. All your defense is given up. This is a real, actual defect. It must strike the mind of every gentleman

According to Patrick Henry why should the constitution not be ratified?

Document 7 Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 84

A Bill of Rights is not necessary because the Constitution already includes the flowing “Independent of those which relate to the structure of the government, we find the following: Article 1, section 3, clause 7 -- "Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law." Section 9, of the same article, clause 2 -- "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it." Clause 3 -- "No bill of attainder or ex-post-facto law shall be passed." Clause 7 -- "No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state." Article 3, section 2, clause 3 -- "The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury,

According to Hamilton – why should the constitution be ratified

Essay Thesis

Should the constitution (without an additional Bill Of Rights) be ratified, explain your answer? (use at least 3 documents to support your answer), use outside information

Score of 5:

� Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the Task by accurately analyzing and interpreting at least _____ documents

� Incorporates information from the documents in the body of the essay

� Incorporates relevant outside information

� Richly supports the theme or problem with relevant facts, examples, and details

� Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization

� Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the Task or Historical Context and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 4:

� Addresses all aspects of the Task by accurately analyzing and interpreting at least _____ documents

� Incorporates information from the documents in the body of the essay

� Incorporates relevant outside information

� Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but discussion may be more descriptive than analytical

� Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization

� Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the

Task or Historical Context and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem

Score of 3:

� Addresses most aspects of the Task or addresses all aspects of the Task in a limited way, using some of the documents

� Incorporates some information from the documents in the body of the essay

� Incorporates limited or no relevant outside information

� Includes some facts, examples, and details, but discussion is more descriptive than analytical

� Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization

� Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the Task or Historical Context and concludes by simply repeating the theme or problem

Score of 2:

� Attempts to address some aspects of the Task, making limited use of the documents

� Presents no relevant outside information

� Includes few facts, examples, and details; discussion restates contents of the documents

� Is a poorly organized essay, lacking focus

� Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Score of 1:

� Shows limited understanding of the Task with vague, unclear references to the documents

� Presents no relevant outside information

� Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, details, or examples

� Attempts to complete the Task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization

� Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem

Score of 0:

Fails to address the Task, is illegible, or is a blank paper

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