Lesson 18: How Did the People Approve the New Constitution?

Terms

Anti-Federalists  People who were against ratification of the Constitution because they thought it gave too much power to the federal government and did not protect the political rights of the people.

Federalists  Advocates for ratification of the Constitution and for a strong centralized government; they flourished as a political party in the 1790s under the leadership of Alexander Hamilton. The party disappeared from national politics in 1816.

ratify  To confirm and approve.

The Federalist  A series of letters to the editor written in 1787-88 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, urging the adoption of the Constitution and supporting the need for a strong national government.