Ratification Debate -Constitution
Federalists
vs.
Anti-Federalists
Thinking By Analogy

Consider a proposal to give the United Nations the
following:
 power
to tax and spend money for global warfare
 exclusive power to issue currency
 control of international commerce
 jurisdiction over all cases involving the UN Charter
 jurisdiction over cases involving more than 1 country
 power to take over national armies to execute UN law
 power to make any law thought “necessary & proper”
In what ways would this proposal affect the sovereignty of member nations?
During the following discussion, think how this analogy does/does not reflect the
the situation faced by the citizens of the 13 states in 1787….
Ratification Process
James Madison’s plan
 Article VII

9
of 13 states must approve
 through direct vote; not state legislatures
conventions w/delegates selected by vote
 town meetings (Rhode Island)


The Articles of Confederation had to be ratified by all 13
states. Were the Framers justified in changing the rules
for ratification?

If a convention was called today to consider major
changes to the Constitution or to draft a new one, what
rules or procedures would be necessary to insure an
informed civic discussion of the fundamental issues?

Today, most newspapers refuse to publish letters to the
editor or opinion pieces without the author’s name. In
contrast, many people comment on the Internet using
pseudonyms. Does the use of pseudonyms improve or
diminish the quality of civil discourse?
Campaign to Ratify or Oppose
Newspapers
 Pamphlets
 Speeches

“Reasoned Civic Discourse”
Both supporters and opponents published
anonymous essays
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists Objections
A large, diverse nation cannot maintain a
democratic republic
 In such a big nation, government would be
too distant from the people and would
have to rely on force to maintain authority.
Therefore, taxes and standing army.

Anti-Federalists Objections

“necessary and proper” clause gives Congress too much power

president’s power to pardon could be abused

national courts could overwhelm local courts

treaties negotiated by the president only have to be approved by
the Senate, leaving out the more democratic House of
Representatives

the separation of powers will only allow collusion between branches

civil rights are not protected
Many demand the inclusion of amendments to assure basic civil liberties:
A BILL OF RIGHTS

Which criticisms seem the most valid?

Which criticisms seem least valid?

Which fears of the Anti-Federalists do you
still hear today? Are those fears justified?
Why/why not?
Federalists Efforts to Ratify

published a series of essays known as the
Federalist Papers to create support
Federalists’ Efforts to Ratify

QUICKNESS
systematic rebuttal of anti-federalist claims

Madison’s argument in Federalist #10-dangers of faction





minority factions can be controlled by democracy
majority factions (majority tyranny) can be controlled by
representative government
leaders could filter the self-interest of factions to create public
policy for the common good
in a large, diverse society, no one faction can dominate

When the citizens of the US were debating the
ratification of the Constitution, people in
geographically distant states were unlikely to
know each other or share a lot of common
knowledge.
 How
have modern communication technologies
changed the political debate?
 Does the Internet contribute more to unity or to
factionalism?
September 17, 1787: The Constitutional Convention adjourns.
September 28, 1787: The Congress agrees to send the Constitution to the states for
debate and ratification
.
December 7, 1787: Delaware ratifies. Vote: 30 for, 0 against.
December 12, 1787: Pennsylvania ratifies. Vote: 46 for, 23 against.
December 18, 1787: New Jersey ratifies. Vote: 38 for, 0 against.
January 2, 1788: Georgia ratifies. Vote: 26 for, 0 against.
January 9, 1788: Connecticut ratifies. Vote: 128 for, 40 against.
February 6, 1788: Massachusetts ratifies. Vote: 187 for, 168 against.
March 24, 1788: Rhode Island popular referendum rejects. Vote: 237 for, 2708 against.
April 28, 1788: Maryland ratifies. Vote: 63 for, 11 against.
May 23, 1788: South Carolina ratifies. Vote: 149 for, 73 against.
June 21, 1788: New Hampshire ratifies. Vote: 57 for, 47 against.
June 25, 1788: Virginia ratifies. Vote: 89 for, 79 against.
July 26, 1788: New York ratifies. Vote: 30 for, 27 against.
August 2, 1788: N.Carolina convention adjourns w/out ratifying;vote for adjournment 185-84
November 21, 1789: North Carolina ratifies. Vote: 194 for, 77 against.
May 29, 1790: Rhode Island ratifies. Vote: 34 for, 32 against.