Classroom Resources By Topic

Article VII

Introduction

Ratification Debates and The Federalist Papers

After months of debate in the hot Philadelphia summer, on September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention finally adjourned and the new Constitution was signed, but it was not the law of the land yet. According to Article VII of the document, nine of 13 states would have to ratify (or approve) the new Constitution before it would officially replace the Articles of Confederation as our governing document.

Big Questions

When was the Constitution completed and signed, and how was ratification supposed to occur?
What were the circumstances and structure of the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists? Who were these two groups? What were the principle arguments made by the respective groups?
Why did the Federalists ultimately win and successfully get the Constitution ratified? How did they have to compromise to do so?
Videos: Recorded Classes

Ratification and The Federalist Papers
Advanced Session 

Ratification and The Federalist Papers
Introductory Session 

Explore Article VII on the Interactive Constitution

More Resources

Podcast
The Federalists vs. the Anti-Federalists

What were the biggest constitutional debates between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? Scholars Jack Rakove and Mike Rappaport join host Jeffrey Rosen to explore those debates.

Town Hall Video
The Federalist Papers: Relevant Today?  Bill of Rights Book Festival

Sanford Levinson, discusses his new book about the Federalist Papers. This is the fourth of four events of the Bill of Rights Book Festival.

Blog Post
The Anti-Federalists and their important role during the Ratification fight

On this day in 1787, the debate over the newly written Constitution began in the press after an anonymous writer in the New York Journal warned citizens that the document was not all that it seemed.

Big Questions

Classroom Materials

Explore Article VII Questions

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