Eleanor Finch
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution, holding out until 1790—over a year after it went into effect. Rhode Island's ideals did not align with the Constitution, and the state was the only one not to send a representative to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The state's large Quaker population was offended by provisions on the slave trade, and its governing Country Party opposed the expansion of the national government, wanting to continue printing paper money. After multiple attempts to hold a constitutional ratifying convention, Rhode Island finally approved the Constitution with provisional amendments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opposition to the Constitution | Fear of direct federal taxes, aversion to lengthy terms for members of Congress, and concern over the slave trade |
| Resistance to a central government | Fear of losing power to a central government and a desire to maintain state sovereignty |
| Support for paper money | Issuance of paper money in Rhode Island pounds by the governing Country Party |
| Religious freedom | Protection of religious freedom as a core principle |
| Belief in democracy | Holding town meetings and votes to decide on the Constitution |
| Progressive ideals | Outlawing slavery and granting suffrage to African-American males |
| State sovereignty | Operating outside the new governmental structure and using its veto power |
| Trade considerations | Merchants advocating for the Constitution to facilitate interstate trade |
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What You'll Learn
Rhode Island's resistance to the Constitution
Rhode Island's ratification of the US Constitution was unlike that of any other state. It was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, instead holding a statewide referendum on the Constitution. The state's Antifederalists opposed the expansion of the national government and favoured an inflationary monetary policy. This stance was largely driven by the populist Country Party, which had come to power in 1786 and printed large amounts of paper currency, leading to rampant inflation.
The Federalists in Rhode Island, who supported the Constitution, were chiefly among the mercantile classes of Providence and Newport. They wanted the Constitution to pass because having one currency would make interstate trade easier. However, they were outnumbered by those who opposed it, particularly farmers and others in the countryside who didn't rely on interstate trade and didn't want to give power to a central government.
Despite the opposition, Rhode Island eventually ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, after the US Senate passed a bill that would ban all trade with the state if it didn't comply. The state's ratification included a lengthy list of caveats and proposed amendments, including the abolition of the slave trade.
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The state's concerns about central government power
The State of Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution, only doing so after the new federal government had already commenced and after facing threats of secession and an import tax embargo.
Rhode Island was the only state not to send a representative to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the state legislature repeatedly rejected calls for a convention, instead calling a statewide referendum on the Constitution. The state's Antifederalists opposed the expansion of the national government and favoured an inflationary monetary policy. They also opposed direct federal taxes and the lengthy terms for members of Congress. The state's large Quaker population was also offended by provisions on the slave trade, and the Constitution did not explicitly protect religious freedom, a core Rhode Island principle.
Farmers and others in the countryside didn't want to give power to a central government, while people in cities that relied on trade with other states wanted the Constitution to pass because having one currency would make interstate trade easier.
Rhode Island's opposition was also due to the paper money issued in Rhode Island pounds since 1786 by the governing Country Party, which was intended to pay off the state's debts. Opponents of state-issued paper currency called for a new Constitution that would ban it.
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Federal taxes and lengthy Congressional terms
Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 states to ratify the United States Constitution on May 29, 1790. The state demonstrated strong reluctance to join the Union, with its legislature rejecting calls for a ratifying convention seven times. Rhode Island's prosperity under the Articles of Confederation allowed it to maintain control over trade without interference from a central government, contributing to its hesitance. The state's large Quaker population was also offended by provisions on the slave trade, while Federalists' scorn for the state's "excess of democracy" made its residents see the Constitution as a threat.
One of the primary reasons for Rhode Island's opposition to the Constitution was the fear of direct federal taxes. The state had prospered economically after the American Revolution, partly due to congressional powerlessness to regulate foreign trade. Rhode Island relied heavily on commerce and feared losing control of its destiny under federal taxation. Additionally, the state did not want to lose the revenues from its own schedule of import duties, which were used to repay Revolutionary War debts.
Rhode Island's Antifederalist sentiment was also driven by skepticism of a powerful central government and a desire to protect their existing economic and political interests. They sought "further checks and securities" to limit federal power before adopting the Constitution. This included a request to ban poll taxes, which was eventually granted.
The lengthy terms for members of Congress were another concern for Rhode Island. The state wanted to ensure that federal power was limited and that Congress did not interfere with states' rights. Rhode Island's ratification of the Constitution included a list of caveats and proposed amendments, reflecting their desire for limited federal government and protection of states' rights.
In summary, Rhode Island's ideals in the Constitution reflected their strong opposition to federal taxes and lengthy Congressional terms. They sought to protect their economic interests, limit federal power, and ensure states' rights, ultimately shaping the nation's founding document.
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The state's unique ratification process
Rhode Island's ratification process was unique for several reasons. Firstly, it was the only state that did not send a representative to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which approved the document on September 17, 1787. This absence was due to its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government, conflicting with its desire for control over its monetary policy, and its opposition to the Constitution's allowance of the slave trade.
Secondly, when asked to convene a state convention to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island instead referred the matter to individual towns for a vote. This approach was met with resistance from some towns, such as Providence, Newport, and Bristol, which threatened secession. Eventually, due to these pressures and the fear of reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention.
Thirdly, Rhode Island made multiple attempts to ratify the Constitution, facing strong opposition from its residents. The state held 11 or 12 unsuccessful conventions, with one instance seeing 92% of delegates voting against ratification. The state also conducted a statewide referendum on March 24, 1788, which overwhelmingly defeated the Constitution, but with low voter turnout.
Finally, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790, more than a year after it went into effect. The state's ratification came after the Senate passed a bill to prohibit commercial intercourse with Rhode Island, isolating it from the Union. Rhode Island's ratification included a list of caveats and proposed amendments, such as the abolition of the slave trade.
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The impact of the Country Party
The Country Party was a political party in Rhode Island during the Confederation and early Federal periods, from around March 1781 until the death of its leader, Governor Arthur Fenner, in October 1805. The Country Party was a stridently Anti-Federalist party, opposing the Constitution due to civil liberties concerns, distrust of large government, and disagreements about monetary policy. They wanted to maintain state-issued paper currency as legal tender.
The Country Party dominated Rhode Island politics from 1785 to 1790, controlling the Rhode Island General Assembly. During this time, they resisted the ratification of the Constitution, making Rhode Island the last of the original 13 states to ratify it in 1790. The Country Party's resistance to the Constitution was influenced by the state's political culture, which favoured independence. Rhode Island was the first of the Thirteen Colonies to pass legislation declaring independence before the United States Declaration of Independence.
The Country Party's opposition to the Constitution had economic dimensions as well. The mercantile economy of Rhode Island was invested in slavery, while the rural economy was not. Additionally, people in cities that relied on trade with other states wanted the Constitution to pass because a single currency would simplify inter-state trade. On the other hand, farmers and those in the countryside were less concerned about inter-state trade and wanted to avoid giving power to a central government.
The Country Party's resistance to the Constitution was not without consequences. Some of its leaders, such as William West, were left bankrupt because the Federal Government refused to recognize Rhode Island's paper money. Despite these challenges, the Country Party played a significant role in shaping Rhode Island's political landscape during the early years of the Federal period.
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Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island was the only state not to send a representative to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The state made 11 attempts to hold a constitutional ratifying convention and held unsuccessful state referendums. Rhode Island's opposition was chiefly due to the paper money issued in Rhode Island pounds by the governing Country Party. The state also opposed the expansion of the national government and favoured an inflationary monetary policy.
Rhode Island played a key role in advancing the Constitution despite strongly opposing it. The state's veto power delayed the ratification process, and it was the last state to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790, more than a year after it went into effect.
Rhode Island ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, due to threats of commercial embargoes and import taxes. The state included a list of caveats and proposed amendments, such as the abolition of the slave trade. Rhode Island became the 13th state to enter the Union.
Rhode Island was concerned about the centralisation of power and the expansion of the national government. The state valued its autonomy and wanted to protect its practice of printing paper money. Additionally, the state's large Quaker population opposed the slave trade, and some residents saw the Constitution as a threat to their "excess of democracy".
