How Inevitable Was The Us Constitution's Ratification?

The ratification of the US Constitution was not inevitable. The process was chaotic, unpredictable, and nerve-wracking, with significant opposition in several states. The Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia in 1787, and it was not ratified by all states until 1790. The document was controversial because it did not include a Bill of Rights, and it established a powerful central government with the ability to tax and create a standing army, which many Americans believed was antithetical to republican government and citizens' liberty. The Federalists, who supported ratification, argued that the new government would function better than the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. The Anti-Federalists, who opposed ratification, criticized the absence of protections for individual liberties and states' rights. The ratification debates laid the groundwork for a political culture that values compromise, civic engagement, and the protection of individual rights.

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The Philadelphia Convention of 1787

The primary purpose of the convention was to address the weaknesses of the existing government structure under the Articles of Confederation, which had led to a weak central government and challenges in conducting foreign policy. The delegates, led by James Madison of Virginia and Alexander Hamilton of New York, sought to create a stronger central government with more specific powers, including the ability to conduct relations with foreign governments. Madison, who had studied historical republics and confederacies, presented a blueprint for constitutional revision, emphasizing the need for a strong central government, compulsory taxation authority, and the power to regulate interstate commerce.

The convention was marked by vigorous debates and compromises on key issues such as the structure of the legislative branch, the balance of power between large and small states, and the contentious issue of slavery. The delegates spent a significant amount of time debating the insertion of a fugitive slave clause, the abolition of the slave trade, and the representation of enslaved individuals. The Great Compromise resolved disputes between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Three-Fifths Compromise addressed the representation of enslaved individuals for taxation and representation purposes.

The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787. However, it needed to be ratified by at least nine of the 13 states to take effect. The ratification process was chaotic and unpredictable, with significant opposition in several states. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, ensuring its implementation. The remaining states gradually ratified the Constitution, with Rhode Island being the last to approve it on May 29, 1790.

The Federalist Papers

The authors of The Federalist Papers attempted to hide their identities due to Hamilton and Madison's participation in the Constitutional Convention. However, their identities were correctly guessed at the time, and a list emerged after Hamilton's death claiming that he had written two-thirds of the essays. Modern scholarship has confirmed this claim and attributed 51 articles to Hamilton, 29 to Madison, and the remaining 5 to Jay.

Overall, The Federalist Papers played a crucial role in the ratification of the United States Constitution, providing detailed explanations and defences of the proposed government and influencing the shape of American political institutions.

The Bill of Rights

The United States Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, was ratified on December 15, 1791. This came after a long and arduous journey towards the ratification of the Constitution, which was governed by the Articles of Confederation until 1788. The Bill of Rights was proposed following a bitter debate over the ratification of the Constitution, with Anti-Federalists refusing to support it without a bill of rights.

The amendments of the Bill of Rights add specific guarantees of personal freedoms and limit the government's power in judicial and other proceedings. The clear limitations on the government's power include explicit declarations that all powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. The concepts codified in these amendments build upon those in earlier documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the English Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta.

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The need for a stronger central government

The United States Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to approve it. The road to ratification, however, was long and arduous. The need for a stronger central government was clear to some of America's leaders, who believed that the country's future stability depended on it.

The country was governed by the Articles of Confederation until the new Constitution was ratified. The Articles were created for a newly formed nation made up of states that acted more like independent, sovereign countries. The grim economic situations and political crises in the 1780s compelled the American people to make a right choice to set up a stronger central government. The United States had won a great victory in the Revolution, but its debts could not be paid, the economy could not develop, the people's living standards could not be improved, and the country could not be defended.

The Articles of Confederation were inadequate to protect the United States from attacks by foreign powers, and the states were encroaching on federal authority and the laws of other states. The states were also failing to comply with Constitutional requisitions and were unconcerned about the common interest of the citizens of the United States. The Articles did not provide for a standing army, which was considered essential to put down domestic insurrections and confront foreign threats.

The Constitution created a standing army, which was considered by most Americans at the time to be antithetical to republican government and citizens' liberty. The proposed government also held the power to tax, which many found surprising considering their recent history. The Constitution was also criticized for not providing adequate protection for individual liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

The delegates to the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, later renamed the Constitutional Convention, generally agreed on the need for revisions to the Articles and restraints on state legislatures. They wanted to diminish the power of state legislatures, which were often influenced by hard-pressed farmers. The key issues debated at the convention included the structure of the legislative branch, the balance of power between large and small states, and the contentious question of slavery.

The role of George Washington

Washington was a nationalist who believed in the need for a strong national government. He supported the ratification of the Constitution, although he did not participate in the public debates. His support was widely known and influenced others, as evidenced by his private urging to Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry that it was "the best constitution that can be obtained". Washington's private letters also revealed his endorsement, such as in his correspondence with Charles Carter and Sir Edward Newenham. Federalists often used Washington's image and signature on the document to promote ratification, arguing that if a virtuous figure like him was supportive, ratification was essential.

Washington's commanding presence and influence were key in achieving the outcome of the convention. As James Monroe wrote to Thomas Jefferson, "Be assured, [Washington’s] influence carried the government". Washington's election as the first president under the new Constitution further encouraged the delegates to propose strong, wide-ranging powers for the executive.

After the ratification, Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States in 1789. He served two terms, guiding the organisation of the executive branch, founding Washington, D.C., opening the west for settlement, and setting precedents for future presidents.

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