Jonah Patel
Newspapers played a critical role in the debate over the ratification of the US Constitution. Between 1787 and 1790, 95 newspapers were printed across the United States, with 69 in the Northern states and 26 in the Southern states. During this time, only about half a dozen newspapers steadfastly opposed the proposed new form of government, while another half dozen remained neutral, printing a significant number of Anti-Federalist essays. The remaining papers were Federalist, mostly printing items in favour of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, were published in newspapers nationwide to explain and defend the proposed new government. The Anti-Federalists, who opposed ratification, published their own series of articles and delivered speeches, collectively known as The Anti-Federalist Papers. The debate was often contentious, with violence breaking out in some cases, and centred around balancing national and state power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of newspapers opposing the ratification of the new constitution | Half a dozen |
| Number of newspapers that remained neutral | Half a dozen |
| Number of newspapers supporting the ratification of the new constitution | 84 (out of 95) |
| Number of monthly magazines published in the North | 4 |
| Number of states that had ratified the Constitution by mid-January 1788 | 5 (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution before New Hampshire | 8 |
| Number of states that had ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790 | 13 |
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What You'll Learn
Anti-Federalist opposition
During the debate over the ratification of the Constitution, only about half a dozen newspapers across the country firmly opposed the proposed new form of government. These newspapers published a series of articles and essays against ratification. This collection of independent writings has come to be known as "The Anti-Federalist Papers". The authors of these papers included Robert Yates (Brutus), likely George Clinton (Cato), Samuel Bryan (Centinel), and either Melancton Smith or Richard Henry Lee (Cato).
The Anti-Federalists were chiefly concerned with too much power being invested in the national government at the expense of the states. They wanted strong state governments, a weak central government, direct elections of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, accountability by officeholders to popular majorities, and the strengthening of individual liberties. They also demanded prior amendments to be sent to a second convention before they would accept the new government.
The Anti-Federalists' opposition to ratifying the Constitution was a powerful force in the origin of the Bill of Rights, which protects Americans' civil liberties. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, initially argued against the necessity of a bill of rights. However, they eventually promised to add amendments to specifically protect individual liberties.
Despite the Anti-Federalists' efforts, the Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The final vote was held on May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island became the last state to approve the document.
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Federalist victory
The Federalist victory in the ratification of the new US Constitution was a hard-fought campaign. The Federalists, supporters of the new Constitution, faced opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who feared a powerful central government and sought to protect individual liberties. The debate played out in homes, taverns, and the printed media, with newspapers playing a critical role.
The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, produced 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers." These essays were published in newspapers across the nation, explaining and defending the proposed new government. They also enlisted support from state printers and postmasters, who reprinted essays and news items in other states, creating a primitive news service system. This helped spread their message and gain support for the Constitution.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, published articles and delivered speeches against ratification. Notable Anti-Federalists included Patrick Henry, Melancton Smith, and Samuel Bryan, who wrote under pseudonyms. They demanded amendments to protect civil liberties, which became known as the Bill of Rights. The Anti-Federalists had strong support in large and powerful states like Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.
However, the Federalists were better organized and had momentum on their side. By mid-January 1788, five states had ratified the Constitution, and they eventually secured the required nine states for victory. The final vote in Baltimore, Maryland, was a Federalist celebration, with a 15-foot float called the "Ship Federalist." The Federalists also made strategic moves, such as adjourning conventions when they sensed defeat and promising amendments to protect liberties after ratification.
The Federalists' victory was not without controversy. Violence erupted during the ratification controversy, and there were concerns about the majority of Americans opposing the Constitution. However, the Federalists' lobbying efforts, combined with the influence of the press, ensured their success in shaping the new government of the United States of America.
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The role of printers
During the debate over the ratification of the US Constitution, printers and newspapers played a critical role in shaping public opinion. Between 1787 and 1790, 95 newspapers were printed across the United States, with 69 in the Northern states and 26 in the Southern states. The printers of these newspapers often held influential positions in their communities, with some serving as postmasters or official state printers. A handful of women, including Mary Holt in New York City and Mary Katharine Goddard in Baltimore, were also involved in printing newspapers during this period.
While most printers were "mere copyists", some actively wrote pieces for their papers and were personally involved in local and state politics. For example, Elizabeth Holt Oswald in Philadelphia served as a courier between Antifederalists in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The Antifederalists, who opposed ratification, published a series of articles and delivered speeches against the new Constitution. Their writings, known collectively as "The Anti-Federalist Papers", advocated for strong state governments, weak central government, and the protection of individual liberties.
Printers who supported the ratification, known as Federalists, also played a significant role. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote a series of 85 essays under the pseudonym "Publius", which became known as "The Federalist Papers". These essays were first published in New York City newspapers and then reprinted across the country. Federalist printers were generally better organized and connected, and they used their newspapers to print mostly items in favour of the Constitution. Antifederalist items sometimes appeared in Federalist newspapers, but often only to be refuted by subsequent Federalist critiques.
The exchange of newspapers between printers in different states also contributed to the spread of information. Assisted by the post office's policy of free postage, printers arranged to exchange newspapers with printers in other states and regularly reprinted essays, news items, and fillers from these shared sources. This helped to create a primitive news service system, ensuring that the debate over ratification reached a wide audience and that the views of both Federalists and Antifederalists were circulated, even in states that may have had a predominantly Federalist or Antifederalist printing press landscape.
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The Pennsylvania Packet
During the debate over the ratification of the Constitution, only about six newspapers across the United States staunchly opposed the proposed new form of government. Another six papers maintained a neutral stance, printing a notable number of Anti-Federalist essays. The remaining papers were Federalist, publishing content that largely supported the Constitution.
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The Bill of Rights
During the debate over the ratification of the US Constitution, only about half a dozen newspapers across the country were steadfastly opposed to the proposed new form of government. Another half dozen remained neutral, printing a significant number of Anti-Federalist essays, while the remaining newspapers were Federalist, printing mostly items in favour of the Constitution. Many issues of newspapers from this time are not extant, especially those printed in North Carolina and Virginia.
The role of newspapers in the ratification debate was critical, with printers sometimes also producing broadsides, pamphlets, and almanacs, and operating book shops. In addition, newspapers exchanged copies with printers in other states, regularly reprinting essays, news items, and fillers.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Federalists, supporters of the Constitution, promised to consider amendments to protect the liberties of the people after the Constitution was ratified.
The Anti-Federalists, those who opposed the ratification, were chiefly concerned with too much power being invested in the national government at the expense of the states. They advocated for strong state governments, a weak central government, the direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, accountability by officeholders to popular majorities, and the strengthening of individual liberties. Their opposition was an important factor leading to the adoption of the First Amendment and the other nine amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
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Frequently asked questions
During the debate over the ratification of the Constitution, only about half a dozen newspapers throughout the country steadfastly opposed the proposed new form of government.
Newspapers that opposed the ratification of the new constitution included the Pennsylvania Herald, the Pennsylvania Packet, and the Independent Gazetteer.
The Anti-Federalists, who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, were chiefly concerned with too much power invested in the national government at the expense of the states. They wanted strong state governments, a weak central government, direct elections of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, and the strengthening of individual liberties.
