Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution was drafted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Before it could become law, the Constitution had to be ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton supported ratification, while Anti-Federalists opposed it, arguing that it gave too much power to the federal government. To defend the new plan of government, Federalists promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution and argued that a strong central government was necessary to provide order and stability and prevent tyranny.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support | Support of Washington, commercial interests, men of property, and creditors |
| Belief among many Americans that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate | |
| Alexander Hamilton's focused logic | |
| Hamilton's financial plan | |
| Horse trading to get the financial plan through Congress | |
| Support from powerful states such as Virginia and New York | |
| The Federalist Papers | |
| The belief that a strong central government would provide order and stability | |
| The belief that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation | |
| The belief that reelecting the president and reappointing senators by state legislatures would create a body of experienced men who could better guide the country through crises | |
| Opposition | Opposition from a few influential men in the convention and state politicians fearful of losing power |
| General revulsion against taxation | |
| Suspicion that a centralized government would be insensitive to local interests | |
| Fear among debtors that a new government would "restrain the means of cheating creditors" |
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What You'll Learn
A strong central government would provide order and stability
The United States Constitution was drafted by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The document was then sent to the states for ratification. Federalists, who supported the Constitution, believed that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation and provide order and stability.
One of the key Federalist figures was James Madison, who sought to forge a new government with a "due supremacy of the national authority" while maintaining state power in a subordinate position. Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, authored a series of essays, now known as The Federalist Papers, to convince Americans, particularly those in New York, to support the new Constitution.
The Federalists argued that the national government would not become too powerful as the federal system divided power between the national and state governments and separate branches within the federal government. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties.
Alexander Hamilton was instrumental in driving the Constitution through the New York convention, using his focused logic and political savvy to build support. He recognized the importance of addressing the concerns of individual states, such as Virginia's opposition to the assumption of state debts, and leveraged these issues to gain support for the Constitution.
The Federalists' belief in a strong central government was in contrast to the Anti-Federalists, who feared that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and wanted to maintain more local control. The debate over the balance of power between the federal government and the states was a central issue in the ratification process, with Federalists ultimately succeeding in establishing a strong central government that they believed would provide the necessary order and stability for the young nation.
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The Articles of Confederation were inadequate
The inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation was a key argument used by supporters of the new Constitution, known as Federalists. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to lead the nation and address the shortcomings of the Articles.
One of the primary criticisms of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central authority. The Articles established a weak central government, known as the Confederation Congress, with limited powers and little ability to enforce its decisions. This led to challenges in maintaining order and stability, as the central government struggled to effectively govern the country.
The Federalists, including prominent figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, advocated for a stronger federal government that could address these issues. They argued that the new Constitution would provide a "due supremacy of the national authority" while still maintaining state power where it was "subordinately useful." This balance, they believed, would prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful and guard against tyranny.
Additionally, the Articles of Confederation had failed to address critical economic issues, such as the assumption of state debts and commercial problems among the states. Hamilton, in particular, played a key role in driving the Constitution through the New York convention by leveraging these financial concerns. He proposed shifting the debts of states that had not paid their war debts to the federal government, which appealed to citizens in states that had already paid their debts.
The Federalists also pointed to the inability of the Confederation Congress to effectively regulate commerce as a reason for the new Constitution. Madison and Hamilton had initially proposed giving the Continental Congress the power to regulate commerce throughout the Confederation, but this effort fell short. The new Constitution, they argued, would provide the necessary framework for addressing commercial issues and creating a more unified economic policy.
In conclusion, the belief in the inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation was a significant driving force behind the push for a new Constitution. The Federalists' arguments for a stronger central government, the ability to address economic concerns, and the prevention of tyranny resonated with many Americans who sought a more effective and stable government.
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Commercial interests and creditors supported it
Commercial interests and creditors supported the new Constitution for several reasons. Firstly, they believed that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate and that a stronger central government was needed to provide order and stability. This was a view shared by Madison, who, along with John Tyler, proposed that the Continental Congress be given the power to regulate commerce throughout the Confederation. This proposal led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where the new Constitution was drafted.
Commercial interests and creditors also supported the Constitution because they believed it would protect their financial interests. They saw the Constitution as a way to ensure that debts were paid and that the federal government would assume state debts. Alexander Hamilton, for example, used his influence to get his financial plan through Congress, which included the assumption of state debts. He also played a crucial role in convincing New York to ratify the Constitution, despite opposition from Anti-Federalists in the state.
The support of commercial interests and creditors was important for the ratification of the Constitution. The ratification process required nine of the thirteen states to approve the document, and the support of powerful states was crucial. The large and prosperous states of Virginia and New York, for example, were initially opposed to the assumption of state debts but were eventually persuaded to support the Constitution.
In addition to their financial interests, commercial interests and creditors may also have supported the Constitution because they believed it would provide a more efficient and effective government. The Federalist Papers, a collection of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay, argued that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation and that the federal system would prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties.
Overall, the support of commercial interests and creditors for the new Constitution was driven by a combination of financial and political factors. They believed that the Constitution would provide a stronger and more stable government, protect their financial interests, and lead to a more efficient and effective nation.
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The Federalists promised to add a bill of rights
The Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, defended the document by arguing that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation. They believed that a robust national authority, with power over the states, would provide order and stability. One of the key Federalists, James Madison, wanted to ensure the "supremacy of the national authority" while maintaining state power in a subordinate role.
The Federalists also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution, which would protect individual liberties. This was in response to objections raised by Anti-Federalists, who feared that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and infringed on individual freedoms.
To address these concerns, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay authored a series of essays, known as The Federalist Papers, which sought to convince Americans, particularly those in New York, to support the new Constitution. Federalist No. 51, attributed to Madison, assured readers that they did not need to fear an overly powerful national government. He argued that the federal system, with its division of powers, would prevent any one part of the government from becoming too dominant. Madison believed that tyranny could not arise in a government where the legislature held the most power.
The Federalists' defence of the Constitution and their promise to add a bill of rights were crucial in gaining support for the document. Eventually, in June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, making it the law of the land. The large states of Virginia and New York, which had been problematic due to Anti-Federalist sentiment, also ratified the Constitution shortly after, solidifying its place as the governing document of the United States.
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Re-election and term limits would prevent career politicians
The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 and sent to the states for ratification. Federalists, who supported the Constitution, argued that a strong central government was necessary to provide order and stability to the new nation. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay authored a series of essays, known as the Federalist Papers, to defend the new plan of government and address citizens' concerns.
One objection to the Constitution was the lack of term limits for members of Congress and the president. Those who opposed a strong central government argued that this could allow a few powerful individuals to dominate national politics indefinitely. While the framers of the Constitution did not anticipate the concept of career politicians, supporters argued that re-election and reappointment would create a body of experienced leaders capable of navigating the country through crises effectively. They believed that leaders who did not perform well would be voted out of office, preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a select few.
The Federalist Papers played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and allaying fears of an overly powerful central government. In Federalist No. 51, Madison assured readers that the federal system's separation of powers between the national and state governments, as well as the division of authority within the federal government, would prevent any single branch from becoming dominant. He argued that tyranny was unlikely in a government where the legislature held the predominant power.
The debate over term limits and re-election reflected the broader tension between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Anti-Federalists feared that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and wanted stronger checks on central authority. Federalists, on the other hand, believed that a robust central government was essential for the country's success and stability. They trusted that the system of checks and balances, along with the power of the states, would prevent abuses of power.
Ultimately, the Constitution was ratified by the required minimum of nine out of thirteen states, with New Hampshire becoming the decisive ninth state in June 1788. The inclusion of a bill of rights and the promise of future amendments helped alleviate some concerns about unlimited federal power. While the issue of term limits remained a point of contention, the supporters of the Constitution believed that the combination of re-election, state power, and a balanced federal system provided sufficient safeguards against the emergence of career politicians.
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Frequently asked questions
Federalists, or supporters of the new constitution, argued that a strong central government was necessary to provide order and stability to the new nation. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties.
Anti-Federalists, or those who opposed the new constitution, feared that it gave too much power to the federal government and wanted to ensure that state governments retained their authority. They also objected to the absence of term limits for members of Congress and the president, arguing that this could allow a handful of powerful people to rule the nation indefinitely.
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay authored a series of essays, known as The Federalist Papers, to address citizens' concerns and encourage support for the new constitution. They argued that the federal system, with its division of power between national and state governments, would prevent any one part of the government from becoming too strong.
The debate over the ratification of the new constitution was influenced by various factors. These included the support of influential figures like Washington, commercial interests, creditors, and citizens' beliefs that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate. On the other hand, opposition came from state politicians fearful of losing power and a general revulsion against taxation.
