Constitution Ratification: Overcoming Resistance, Forging Unity

The United States Constitution was ratified despite resistance from some delegates, who opposed the document that they had spent months drafting. The Constitution was ratified by state legislatures, who were elected representatives of their neighbouring countries. The framers avoided requiring legislators to ratify a document that would require them to relinquish their authority. Instead, they were asked to limit the power of state legislatures who may not be elected. By late July 1788, eleven states had ratified the Constitution, turning a controversial proposal into the country's new government.

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The agreement by some state delegates to pursue a Bill of Rights

The ratification of the United States Constitution was not without resistance. The Constitution was the result of significant concessions on questions of representation and federal government authority. On 17 September 1787, the participants at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia agreed to adopt the constitution they had spent months drafting. Some opposed it, but the vast majority did.

The ratification assembly was made up of elected representatives of their neighbouring countries to represent their interests. They were not being asked to give power back, but to limit the power of state legislatures who may not be elected.

The Constitution was ratified by state legislatures

George Mason, one of the few opponents to ratification to try and foment resistance, found himself facing swift and widespread reproach. The details of Mason’s address in the aftermath of Virginia’s close vote remain opaque. But delegates found his remarks so inflammatory that even the strongest adversaries of ratification rebuked him. Bejamin Harrison reminded Mason that the Constitution “had been adopted by a majority of their countrymen” and so “it became their duty to submit as good citizens”.

The ratification of the United States Constitution despite the "resistance" described in the excerpt is best understood in the context of the following developments: "The agreement by some state delegates to pursue a Bill of Rights". The US Constitution developed from the discussion over the Articles of Confederation's flaws and was the result of significant concessions on questions of representation and federal government authority. Instead, by inviting state legislatures to hold ratification sessions to ratify the Constitution, the framers avoided requiring legislators to ratify a document that would require them to relinquish their authority.

The Constitution was ratified despite narrow vote margins

The United States Constitution was ratified despite resistance from some state delegates. The Constitution was the result of significant concessions on questions of representation and federal government authority. On 17 September 1787, the participants at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia agreed to adopt the constitution they had spent months drafting.

The Constitution had to overcome several obstacles before it could become law. Firstly, the framers invited state legislatures to hold ratification sessions to ratify the Constitution, avoiding requiring legislators to ratify a document that would require them to relinquish their authority. Secondly, the states were required to ratify it. This authentication method is unusual because the powers contained in the Articles of Confederation and the Confederate Congress are based on the consent of the states.

Despite the resistance, by late July 1788, eleven states had ratified, turning a controversial proposal into the country's new government. Narrow vote margins in several state conventions did not prevent ratification, and even the strongest adversaries of ratification rebuked George Mason, one of the few opponents to ratification, for his inflammatory remarks. Benjamin Harrison reminded Mason that the Constitution "had been adopted by a majority of their countrymen" and so "it became their duty to submit as good citizens".

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The Constitution was ratified despite resistance from George Mason

The United States Constitution was ratified despite resistance from George Mason, one of the few opponents to ratification who tried to foment resistance. The Constitution was ratified by state legislatures, who were elected representatives of their neighbouring countries. This avoided requiring legislators to ratify a document that would require them to relinquish their authority. Instead, they were being asked to limit the power of state legislatures who may not be elected.

The Constitution was the result of significant concessions on questions of representation and federal government authority. It was developed from discussions over the Articles of Confederation's flaws. On 17 September 1787, the participants at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia agreed to adopt the constitution they had spent months drafting. Some opposed it, but the vast majority did. By late July 1788, eleven states had ratified the Constitution, turning a controversial proposal into the country's new government.

Despite the narrow vote margins in several state conventions, defeated delegates and distressed citizens reconciled themselves to the Constitution. Mason's remarks were so inflammatory that even the strongest adversaries of ratification rebuked him. Benjamin Harrison reminded Mason that the Constitution "had been adopted by a majority of their countrymen" and so "it became their duty to submit as good citizens".

The Constitution was ratified despite scepticism

The states were required to ratify it. This authentication method is unusual. By late July 1788, eleven states had ratified, turning a controversial proposal into the country’s new government. Despite hyperbolic and spiralling rhetoric and the narrow vote margins in several state conventions, defeated delegates and distressed citizens reconciled themselves to the Constitution.

George Mason, one of the few opponents to ratification to try and foment resistance, found himself facing swift and widespread reproach. The details of Mason’s address in the aftermath of Virginia’s close vote remain opaque. But delegates found his remarks so inflammatory that even the strongest adversaries of ratification rebuked him. Benjamin Harrison reminded Mason that the Constitution “had been adopted by a majority of their countrymen” and so “it became their duty to submit as good citizens.”

Instead, by inviting state legislatures to hold ratification sessions to ratify the Constitution, the framers avoided requiring legislators to ratify a document that would require them to relinquish their authority. Those participating in the ratification assembly would be elected representatives of their neighbouring countries to represent their interests. They are not being asked to give power back, in fact, they are being asked to limit the power of state legislatures who may not be elected.

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