The Ratification of the
Constitution
End of the Convention
• Ended Sept. 17, 1787 –
• Under AoC – all 13 states had to agree,
but decided after 9 agreed, those agreeing
states would adopt the Constitution
• Convention men going over the heads of
Congress and states.
The Process
• Each state held special convention in order to vote on
constitution
• State delegates elected by people
• Ratification of Constitution required the approval of 9
states.
• Purpose:
1) Bypass state legislatures who would oppose it since
Constitution reduced power of states
2) Gave framers time to campaign for delegates in their
states who would support ratification
Federalists vs.
Anti-Federalists
Federalists
• Supporters of the Constitution
• Insisted division of powers/system of
checks and balances would protect US
from the tyranny of centralized authority
Anti-Federalists
•
those who opposed a strong central
government, and were against a Constitution
•
Countered with list of possible abuses of power
of a strong central Gov.:
a. Would serve the interests of the privileged minority
b. Would ignore rights of the majority
c. Doubted a single Gov. could manage the affairs of a large
country
d. Constitution’s lack of protection for individual rights
e. Felt states lost a lot of power
Anti-Federalists
• Non-Supporters
– rural areas
• saw little benefit in a strong
government that might add to
their tax burden.
– Large states and those with
strong economies (ie. NY)
• because had greater freedom
under the Articles of
Confederation
• Leading Non-Supporters
– Patrick Henry, Sam Adams,
Richard Henry Lee
Federalists
• Supporters of Constitution:
– urban centers (merchants, skilled
workers, laborers)
• saw the benefit of a national gov.
that could control trade
– small states and those with weak
economies
• because central gov. could protect
their interests
• Leading Supporters:
– George Washington
– James Madison
– Alexander Hamilton
The Campaign in the Newspapers
• Both sides campaigned on subject of
Constitution
• Used newspapers to get their views
across
• 2 Leading Documents:
Federalist Papers
• Pro- Constitution Writings
• 85 essays in NY newspapers 1787-1788
• Published by signature “Publius”
• Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and
John Jay
• Provided an analysis and explanation of the Constitution
– #10 – Impossible to have a republican government over large
territory
– #51 - advocates that the separation of powers within the national
government protects against a strong Central Gov.
Letters from the Federal Farmer
• Anti-Constitution
• written by Richard Henry Lee???
• Insisted rights of individuals needed to be
protected
The Importance of the
Bill of Rights
Reasons for Call for Bill of Rights
• Since Constitution weakened states,
needed something in Central Gov. to
protect Individual Rights
• Despite Federalist arguments, they yielded
Ratification
• First State to Ratify – Delaware – Dec.
1787
• New Hampshire 9th state to ratify =
constitution is passed
• NY,VA, NC, and RI had not yet voted
– Needed NY and VA to legitimize the
Constitution
• Heated debate in VA, but support of GW, JM brought
Federalist victory in June 1788
• NY ratified on July 26, 1788
• Last state to accept Constitution = RI (5/29/90)
• Many states had waited for Federalists pledge to include
Bill of Rights before ratifying
• Bill of Rights finally passed by Congress 9/25/89, ratified
Dec. 15, 1791.