Malcolm Rivera
The ratification of the US Constitution was a highly contested process, with supporters and critics of the document engaging in intense national debates. The Federalists, led by influential figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed that the system of checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful and safeguard citizens' liberties. The Federalists also promised to address concerns about the lack of a Bill of Rights, which helped sway skeptics in several states. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, arguing that it granted too much power to the federal government at the expense of state and local governments, and that the federal courts would be too far removed to effectively represent and provide justice to citizens. The ratification debates laid the groundwork for a political culture that values compromise, civic engagement, and the protection of individual rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Federalist support | The Federalists, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, supported the ratification of the Constitution. |
| Checks and balances | Federalists argued that the Constitution provided a system of checks and balances, preventing any one branch or person from becoming too powerful. |
| Strong central government | Federalists believed a centralized republic was the best solution for the future, and a strong national government would be better equipped to defend smaller states. |
| Amendments | The promise of future amendments to protect individual liberties and include a bill of rights helped persuade delegates in many states to support ratification. |
| State ratification | The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states, which was achieved when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. |
| Public opinion | Newspaper publishers and writers, particularly Federalist essayists, played a significant role in influencing public opinion and generating enthusiasm for the Constitution. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution was supported by revered figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
- Federalists argued for a system of checks and balances, preventing tyranny
- Smaller states favoured the Constitution as it gave them equal representation in the Senate
- The promise of a bill of rights helped persuade delegates in many states to support ratification
- Federalist essays and newspapers helped build enthusiasm and support for the Constitution
The Constitution was supported by revered figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
Washington's commanding presence and influence played a crucial role in achieving consensus among the delegates. He worked to forge agreement, demanding complete secrecy during the controversial discussions. His support for the Constitution carried significant weight, and Federalists readily used his image and letters to promote ratification. In one of his letters, Washington expressed his desire to see the Constitution adopted, acknowledging its amendment provision as a viable method for addressing future problems.
Benjamin Franklin, another revered figure, also backed the Constitution. Franklin had a long history of public service and was respected as a living legend. During the Constitutional Convention, he used humour to lighten the mood during tense moments. Despite having some reservations about certain parts of the document, Franklin ultimately supported it, believing that it approached perfection and would astonish their enemies.
In addition to Washington and Franklin, the Constitution was also supported by a host of renowned patriots, intellectuals, high-ranking Revolutionary War veterans, and state politicians. The support of these respected figures carried significant weight in influencing public opinion and shaping the outcome of the ratification process.
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Federalists argued for a system of checks and balances, preventing tyranny
The Federalists were a group of Americans who supported the ratification of the US Constitution as written. They were opposed by the Anti-Federalists, who did not support ratification. The Federalists included renowned patriots, intellectuals, high-ranking war veterans, and state politicians such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. They had the advantage of sharing a single clear goal and used newspapers to build enthusiasm for the Constitution.
The Federalists argued for a system of checks and balances, preventing tyranny. They believed that by dividing the government into separate branches, with checks and balances, no one branch or person could get too powerful. Federalist No. 51, written by James Madison, explains and defends the checks and balances system in the Constitution. Madison discusses how each branch of government is framed so that its power checks the power of the other two branches. Each branch is also dependent on the people, who are the source of legitimate authority. Madison concludes that all of the Constitution's checks and balances serve to preserve liberty by ensuring justice.
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, writing as Publius in The Federalist Papers, defended republican government with certain improvements. They responded to critics who did not think it was possible to create a republican system based on consent and majority rule that also secured justice for all, including the minority. Madison, in Federalist No. 10, argued that the great danger in republics is not that those in government will abuse their powers, but that the majority may use the power of the vote to elect representatives who pass laws depriving the minority of their rights. Madison argued that multiplying the diversity of interests in a large republic is the key to breaking these dangerous majority factions.
Hamilton and Madison also argued that with a vast territory, it would be more difficult for factions to unite and oppress the minority. In a large nation, if a faction forms in one state, it is less likely to spread to other states. They believed that the multiplicity of interests in an extended republic, combined with "auxiliary precautions" such as separation of powers, legislative checks and balances, the executive veto power, and judicial review, would make it more difficult for factious laws to be passed.
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Smaller states favoured the Constitution as it gave them equal representation in the Senate
Smaller states, like Delaware, were in favour of ratifying the Constitution as it offered them equal representation in the Senate, giving them a degree of equality with larger states. This was a significant factor, as smaller states had less power and influence compared to their larger counterparts. A strong national government with an army would also be better equipped to defend them than their state militias.
The larger states, on the other hand, had a lot of power to lose. They did not feel they needed the federal government for defence and were reluctant to contribute tax money to support the new government. It was feared that states like New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia would refuse to ratify the Constitution. This would mean that all nine of the remaining states would have to ratify it, and Rhode Island, the smallest state, was unlikely to do so. Rhode Island had not even sent delegates to the convention in Philadelphia.
The smaller states' preference for the Constitution was also influenced by the protection offered by a strong federal government. They recognised the benefits of a centralised republic and a strong central government. This preference was reflected in the ratification process, with smaller states like Delaware and New Jersey ratifying the document within a few months of receiving it in 1787. Connecticut, another small state, ratified it early in 1788.
The close vote in New York, a larger state, highlights the importance of the Federalist Papers' arguments about the benefits of the Constitution. New York's approval was thirty votes in favour to twenty-seven against. Similarly, in Massachusetts, another large state, the vote was narrowly in favour of approval, with a vote of 187 to 168. Some even claim that supporters of the Constitution resorted to bribes to ensure its approval in Massachusetts.
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The promise of a bill of rights helped persuade delegates in many states to support ratification
The United States Constitution was written in 1787 at the Philadelphia Convention. The next step was ratification, which required nine of the thirteen states to adopt the Constitution before it could go into effect. The Federalists supported ratification, while the Anti-Federalists did not. The Federalists argued for limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances. They believed that the national government only had the powers specifically granted by the Constitution and that the separation of powers into three equal branches prevented tyranny.
However, the Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, taking power away from state and local governments. They also believed that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen effectively. Many citizens shared these concerns and opposed ratification, demanding a bill of rights.
The lack of a bill of rights was especially problematic in Virginia, which had the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. This posed a significant challenge to the ratification process, as Virginia was one of the larger states that supporters of the Constitution feared would refuse to ratify.
To address this challenge, James Madison, a supporter of the Constitution, proposed amendments focused on rights-related issues. These amendments were designed to win support in both houses of Congress and the states. The promise of a bill of rights, along with explicit guarantees to protect individual liberties, helped persuade delegates in many states, including Virginia, to support ratification.
The Massachusetts Compromise, in which the states agreed to ratify the Constitution, provided that the First Congress would consider the proposed rights and amendments. This compromise secured ratification and paved the way for the passage of the Bill of Rights.
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Federalist essays and newspapers helped build enthusiasm and support for the Constitution
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pen name "Publius" to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. The first 77 of these essays were published serially in the Independent Journal, the New York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser between October 1787 and April 1788. The last eight papers (Nos. 78–85) were republished in the New York newspapers between June 14 and August 16, 1788. The Federalist essays explained particular provisions of the Constitution in detail and were reprinted in other newspapers in New York state and in several cities in other states.
The Federalist essays were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The essays lobbied for the adoption of the Constitution over the existing Articles of Confederation. The arguments presented in these essays, along with explicit guarantees that amendments would be added to protect individual liberties, helped sway delegates to ratification conventions in many states.
The Federalist Papers also broke down the Constitution into three equal branches of government, with each branch able to check or limit the other branches. This was presented as a system of checks and balances that would prevent tyranny. This idea of a separation of powers was appealing to those who feared that the federal government would be too powerful and too far removed from the average citizen.
The Federalist essays also opposed the addition of a Bill of Rights to the Constitution, insisting that the various provisions in the proposed Constitution already protected liberty. This was a controversial stance, as many citizens feared the loss of their traditional rights and the violation of their liberties without a Bill of Rights.
The Federalist essays, along with support from renowned patriots, intellectuals, and state politicians, helped build enthusiasm and support for the Constitution. The materials published by most newspaper publishers influenced public opinion and deliberations within state conventions, ultimately leading to the ratification of the Constitution in 1788.
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Frequently asked questions
Federalists believed that a stronger national government was necessary after the failed Articles of Confederation. They argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They also believed that the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, taking power away from state and local governments. They also believed that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen. Many Anti-Federalists also opposed the Constitution because it did not include a Bill of Rights.
Several renowned patriots, intellectuals, high-ranking Revolutionary War veterans, and state politicians supported the ratification of the Constitution, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. However, some influential figures, such as Patrick Henry and Melancton Smith, opposed it. The support of figures like Washington and Franklin helped legitimise the Constitution, while opposition from figures like Henry contributed to the intense national debate surrounding the issue.
