Malcolm Rivera
Supporters of the new constitution, known as Federalists, advocated for its adoption by highlighting the difficulties facing the Republic and arguing that these challenges could only be overcome by a new government based on the proposed Constitution. They believed that the existing government under the Articles of Confederation was inadequate, with insufficient power to regulate commerce, levy taxes, or effectively support a war effort. Madison, a key advocate, played a crucial role in persuading the House to enact amendments and defusing anti-Federalist objections. The Federalists emphasized the absence of any viable alternative, arguing that the proposed design was necessary to protect the country from foreign invasion or anarchy. They also celebrated their victories, such as the Federalist victory in Maryland, with parades and symbolic floats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federalist position on the adoption of the Constitution | Difficulties facing the Republic could be overcome by a new government based on the proposed Constitution |
| James Madison's support | Critical significance in advocating for the bill of rights, separation of powers, checks and balances, bicameralism, and federalism |
| Supporters' argument | The proposed design was the only way to save the country from foreign invasion or anarchy |
| Support from renowned figures | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and other Revolutionary War veterans and state politicians |
| Federalist victory celebration | A huge parade in Baltimore, highlighted by a 15-foot float called "Ship Federalist" |
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What You'll Learn
Madison's support for the bill of rights
Madison initially waffled on the issue of a Bill of Rights, but his views evolved over time. He was concerned about the strength of the Anti-Federalists, who continued to call for structural changes and a second constitutional convention to limit the powers of the national government. Madison feared this would lead to chaos and fought against it, seeking greater consensus and harmony around constitutional principles. He made a campaign promise to support a bill of rights, particularly an amendment protecting religious liberty and the liberty of conscience.
On June 8, 1789, Madison rose on the floor of the House to deliver a speech proposing a bill of rights. He argued that it would promote a harmonious political order and the ideal of justice. Madison wanted the Bill of Rights to be interwoven within the Constitution, not simply appended at the end. He believed that the Bill of Rights would expressly declare the great rights of mankind secured under this constitution." Madison skillfully guided the amendments through Congress, leading a committee that developed a list of nineteen amendments and a preamble. He wanted to protect essential liberties, including religious freedom, a free press, and trial by jury.
Although Madison lost some of the provisions he fought for, he continued to support the Bill of Rights he had proposed. His dedication to the cause of protecting the people's liberties was unwavering, and he played a crucial role in shepherding the amendments through Congress and ensuring their adoption.
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Federalist arguments about difficulties facing the Republic
The supporters of the proposed Constitution called themselves Federalists. They believed that the greatest threat to the future of the United States was not the abuse of central power, but the excesses of democracy. They pointed to popular disturbances like Shays' Rebellion and the pro-debtor policies of many states as evidence of this.
Federalists argued that the problems of the country in the 1780s stemmed from the weaknesses of the central government created by the Articles of Confederation. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to safeguard the liberty and independence that the American Revolution had created. They saw their most important role as defending the social gains of the Revolution.
Federalist leaders, such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin, argued that the Constitution was a "republican remedy for the diseases most incident to republican government". They believed that natural rights to life, liberty, and property would be best protected under a strong central government. They also argued that a representative government could only be legitimized through cooperation with international allies.
The Federalists were well-organized and well-funded, and they made careful use of the printed word to spread their message. Most newspapers supported the Federalists' political plan and published articles and pamphlets explaining why the people should approve the Constitution. They also had the support of national celebrities such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
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The need for a more consolidated national government
Supporters of the new Constitution, who called themselves Federalists, believed that a more consolidated national government was necessary to address the political and economic challenges facing the young American republic. They argued that the existing government under the Articles of Confederation was inadequate and lacked the power to effectively govern and protect the nation.
One of the key advocates for a stronger national government was James Madison, who had studied history and political theory to find solutions to the issues facing the country. Madison identified several flaws in the Articles of Confederation, including the inability of the central government to regulate commerce, levy taxes, or set commercial policy. He believed that the states retaining considerable power under the Articles of Confederation led to a weak central government that could not adequately support a war effort or resolve disputes between states.
Madison's efforts to strengthen the power of the central government were reflected in the Virginia Plan, which he drafted and presented at the Constitutional Convention. The Virginia Plan laid the groundwork for debates at the convention and included proposals for constitutional principles such as separation of powers, checks and balances, bicameralism, and federalism. Madison also advocated for a national veto over state laws to prevent majority tyranny in the states, although this feature was ultimately not included in the final Constitution.
The Federalists' position on the adoption of the Constitution was that the difficulties facing the Republic could only be overcome by a new government based on the proposed Constitution. They argued that the new government would protect citizens from abuses of power by the national government and that the alternative to the proposed Constitution was either foreign invasion or anarchy.
The Federalists faced significant opposition from Anti-Federalists, who disagreed with the need for a more consolidated national government and advocated for states' rights and limited government intervention. Despite this opposition, the Federalists were ultimately successful in ratifying the Constitution, with support from influential figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and by highlighting the lack of viable alternatives to the proposed plan.
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The support of renowned patriots, intellectuals, and war veterans
The Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, advocated for the adoption of the new government proposed in the Constitution. They argued that the new government was the only solution to the difficulties facing the Republic. This included the belief that a strong central government was needed to provide order and stability, an idea championed by Madison, who had extensively studied history and political theory to inform his views. Madison was convinced of the inadequacies of the existing system, where the central government lacked sufficient power to regulate commerce, tax, or set commercial policy.
Alexander Hamilton, a young lawyer from New York, worked closely with Madison and shared his vision for a stronger central government. Hamilton's intellectual contributions and legal expertise were valuable in shaping the arguments for the new Constitution. The collaboration between Madison and Hamilton resulted in a report calling upon Congress to summon delegates from all the states to unite in support of the proposed changes.
The efforts of these respected individuals, each bringing their own expertise and influence, contributed significantly to the momentum for the adoption of the new Constitution. Their commitment to addressing the challenges facing the Republic and their belief in the need for a stronger central government united them in their advocacy. The support of these renowned patriots, intellectuals, and war veterans played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American history and the formation of a new government.
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The absence of a viable alternative plan
Supporters of the new Constitution, who called themselves Federalists, argued that there was no viable alternative to the new government based on the proposed Constitution. They believed that the Articles of Confederation, which had been in force since 1781, were inadequate and gave too much power to the states, leaving the central government too weak to regulate commerce, levy taxes, or support a war effort.
The Federalists contended that the new Constitution was necessary to save the country from foreign invasion or anarchy. They pointed to the Confederation Congress's inability to pay its debts, its lack of respect abroad, and its powerlessness to protect the country's boundaries. The economy was in freefall, and the states were threatening to devolve into regional confederacies. In the face of these difficulties, the Federalists argued that only a new government, based on the proposed Constitution, could protect citizens from abuses of power by the national government.
The absence of a viable alternative to the new Constitution was a key point emphasised by Federalists as time passed. They believed that the longer Americans had to interrogate the plan, the more they would see its inherent dangers. However, this calculation proved wrong, as the passing time gave momentum to the Federalists. Some, like Edmund Randolph, who initially refused to sign the Constitution, eventually came to support it, reasoning that there were only two options: support the Constitution or destroy the union.
The Federalists faced significant opposition from Anti-Federalists, who objected to the Constitution for varied and sometimes contradictory reasons. Despite the support of respected figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, ratification of the Constitution nearly failed due to massive grassroots opposition. The scope of this opposition reflected how many citizens had decided to discern for themselves what fulfilled their interests and their vision of the American Republic.
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Frequently asked questions
Federalists, or advocates for the new constitution, argued that the new government based on the proposed constitution was the only way to save the country from foreign invasion or anarchy. They believed that the Confederation Congress was ineffective and lacked power, and that the states were at risk of devolving into regional confederacies.
George Washington, widely perceived as embodying the highest ideals of the Revolution, chaired the Philadelphia Convention and supported the new constitution. He was joined by Benjamin Franklin, a host of renowned patriots, intellectuals, high-ranking Revolutionary War veterans, and state politicians.
One of the key tactics used by supporters was to emphasize the absence of any viable alternative plan to the new constitution. They also organized parades and other celebrations to rally support and gain momentum for their cause.
