Name_____________________

Ratification Assignment

Due Tuesday, October 1

When the draft of the Constitution was completed, attention shifted to the final hurdle in the process, getting the Constitution ratified by the states. This process was far from automatic. Most of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention recognized that the Constitution was far from a perfect document and there was considerable debate about whether or not it should be ratified. In the wake of the debate, three main positions emerged: The Federalists – those who recognized the documents shortcomings, but who wholeheartedly supported it and wanted the country to “Rally Around the Constitution;” and two groups of Anti-Federalists – (a) those who flatly rejected the Constitution and wanted the country to continue to be governed under a modified version of the Articles of Confederation, and (b) those who were against the Constitution unless it guaranteed the protection of individual rights in some sort of Bill of Rights.

As the debated heated in intensity, information/propaganda for and against these three positions was disseminated to the public – in newspapers, posters, and pamphlets, and on placards and speeches used in rallies. Some examples were the publication of the Federalist Papers under the pseudonym Publius, and the anti-Federalist counter-arguments published under the pseudonym Brutus. Some advocates, like Patrick Henry, gave fiery speeches for and against the Constitution.

As an advocate of one of these three positions, your job is to present your case in support of your position. You may choose to express your support in one of the following ways:

1. An editorial or newspaper column similar to The Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers. This should be one to two pages in length, typed)

	Possible Points	Your Points
Do you clearly identify your position in an appropriate thesis statement?	15
Do you back up your thesis with at least two strong arguments?	25
Do you support your arguments with facts, evidence, quotations, or well-reasoned explanations?	35
Is your paper well-written with few spelling, punctuation or grammar errors?	20
Is your paper typed and did you remember to attach this rubric to the front of your editorial?	5
TOTAL	100

2. As a poster that would be placed in a public place. In addition to the poster, you would need to write a one-page paper explaining what you’re trying to show and how that represents your position.

	Possible Points	Your Points
Is your poster neatly and creatively done?	15
Do you clearly establish your viewpoint in your poster?	10
Does your poster include reasons to support your viewpoint?	15
Are the images that you choose for your poster and the slogans you use appropriate for urging ratification of the Constitution in 1787-88?	20
Does your paper clearly explain why you made the poster the way you did? Do you justify your choice of images and slogans by using arguments that would have been made at the time?	25
Is your paper well-written with few spelling, punctuation or grammar errors?	10
Is your paper typed and did you remember to attach this rubric to the front of your editorial?	5
TOTAL	100

Name_________________________

3. As a pamphlet that would be distributed as a rally. You will need also to write a one-page paper explaining what you’re trying to show and how that represents your position.

	Possible Points	Your Points
Is your pamphlet neatly and creatively done?	15
Do you clearly establish your viewpoint in your pamphlet?	10
Does your pamphlet include reasons to support your viewpoint?	15
Are the images that you choose for your pamphlet and the slogans you use appropriate for urging ratification of the Constitution in 1787-88?	20
Does your paper clearly explain why you made the pamphlet the way you did? Do you justify your choice of images and slogans by using arguments that would have been made at the time?	25
Is your paper well-written with few spelling, punctuation or grammar errors?	10
Is your paper typed and did you remember to attach this rubric to the front of your editorial?	5
TOTAL	100

4. As a political cartoon that advocates for or against the Constitution. You will need also to write a one-page paper explaining what you’re trying to show and how that represents your position.

	Possible Points	Your Points
Is your cartoon neatly and creatively done?	15
Do you clearly establish your viewpoint in your cartoon?	10
Does your cartoon include reasons to support your viewpoint?	15
Are the images that you choose for your cartoon and the caption you use appropriate for urging ratification of the Constitution in 1787-88?	20
Does your paper clearly explain why you made the cartoon the way you did? Do you justify your choice of images and caption by using arguments that would have been made at the time?	25
Is your paper well-written with few spelling, punctuation or grammar errors?	10
Is your paper typed and did you remember to attach this rubric to the front of your editorial?	5
TOTAL	100