Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was ratified in 1787, but the process was not without its challenges. The document was signed by 38 of the 41 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, but it required ratification by nine of the 13 existing states to become binding. This was achieved on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, but the process was fraught with debate and opposition. The Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, played a significant role in defending the proposed new government and swaying delegates towards ratification. The lack of a bill of rights in the original Constitution was a point of contention, particularly in Virginia, and the promise to draft one helped secure support. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, the smallest state, finally approved it.
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What You'll Learn
The Federalist Papers
The authors of The Federalist Papers believed that a strong national government was necessary to protect the rights and interests of the people. They argued that a central government with the power to regulate commerce, raise an army, and collect taxes would be better equipped to defend the states against both foreign and domestic threats.
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Smaller states' support
Smaller, less populous states were generally in favour of ratifying the Constitution, as they sought the protection of a strong federal government. They believed that equal representation in the Senate would grant them a degree of equality with the larger states. A strong national government with an army would also be better equipped to defend them than their state militias.
The smaller states' support for the Constitution was crucial, as it was feared that some of the larger, more powerful states would refuse to ratify the document. New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were expected to reject the Constitution, as they had significant power to lose. These states did not believe they required defence from the federal government and were reluctant to provide tax money to support the new government.
From the beginning, supporters of the Constitution worried that without the support of these large, wealthy, and populous states, the new nation would not be secure. Rhode Island, the smallest state, was also unlikely to ratify the Constitution, as it had not even sent delegates to the convention in Philadelphia. This meant that all nine of the remaining states would need to ratify the document for it to be enacted.
Smaller states played a pivotal role in the ratification process. Delaware, the first state to ratify the Constitution, was among the smallest and least populous. It was joined by other small states such as New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut in the early stages of the ratification process. These smaller states helped build momentum for the Constitution's eventual enactment.
The support of smaller states was also influenced by the promise to draft a Bill of Rights. The Constitution did not initially include assurances that the federal government would uphold traditional rights and liberties. This was a significant concern, especially in states like Virginia, which had the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. The commitment to adding amendments protecting individual liberties helped persuade delegates in many states, including smaller ones, to support ratification.
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Amendments and individual liberties
The United States Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, was not initially supported by all states. While some states welcomed the idea of a strong federal government, others were reluctant to cede power and feared the loss of their liberties. This led to calls for a bill of rights, with some refusing to ratify the document without one.
The smaller, less populous states were generally in favour of the Constitution, as it offered them protection under a strong federal government. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut were among the first states to ratify the document. On the other hand, larger states like New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were hesitant to ratify, as they had significant power and influence to lose.
To address concerns about individual liberties and state powers, amendments were proposed to be added to the Constitution. The Federalists, led by Hamilton and Madison, played a crucial role in this process. They produced 85 essays, known as "The Federalist Papers," which explained and defended the proposed government and assured the protection of individual liberties. These essays, along with explicit guarantees of amendments, helped persuade delegates from many states to support ratification.
The promise of a bill of rights was especially important in Virginia, which had the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. With the assurance that a bill of rights would be drafted, Virginia became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution on June 25, 1788, followed by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788. This marked a significant step towards the enactment of the Constitution.
On September 25, 1789, Congress adopted twelve amendments born from the Massachusetts Compromise, sending them to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, becoming an integral part of the Constitution. This Bill of Rights addressed concerns about individual liberties and rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and press, ensuring their protection under the law.
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State ratification conventions
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates present. However, according to Article VII, the document would not be binding until it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. This led to the calling of state ratification conventions, where delegates elected by their neighbours would represent their interests.
The state ratification conventions were an unusual approach to ratification, as changes to the nation's government should have rested on the consent of the state legislatures. However, the framers of the Constitution avoided asking the legislators to approve a document that would require them to give up some of their power. Instead, they called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions to approve the Constitution, where delegates would be asked to place limits on the power of their state legislators.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Smaller, less populous states generally favoured the Constitution, as it provided them with the protection of a strong federal government. On the other hand, larger states were reluctant to ratify the Constitution as they had significant power to lose and disliked the prospect of having to provide tax money to support the new government.
The supporters of the Constitution feared that New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia would refuse to ratify it. This would mean that all nine of the remaining states would have to ratify the document, and Rhode Island, the smallest state, was unlikely to do so. In fact, Rhode Island did not ratify the Constitution until May 29, 1790, making it the last state to approve the document.
The lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution was a significant concern in Virginia, as the state had the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. The promise that a bill of rights would be drafted for the Constitution helped persuade delegates in many states, including Virginia, to support ratification. On June 25, 1788, the Constitution was approved by Virginia, with 89 votes in favour and 79 against. This was followed by New Hampshire's approval on June 21, 1788, making it the ninth state to ratify the Constitution and ensuring that it would be enacted.
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George Washington's influence
Washington was unanimously elected as the convention president, a position that was widely accepted despite his reserved nature during the debates. His opinions were the subject of much speculation, and Federalists readily used his image and support to promote the ratification of the Constitution. While Washington did not actively participate in the public debates, his private letters revealed his endorsement of the Constitution. In his correspondence, he expressed a desire to see the Constitution adopted, acknowledging its imperfections but praising the amendment provision. One of his notable letters, dated September 17, 1787, was attached to the Constitution whenever it was printed. In it, he wrote, "the Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable."
Washington's influence extended beyond his role in the Constitutional Convention. He was convinced of the need for a strong national government, and his support influenced the proposals for a powerful executive branch. As the first president of the United States, Washington guided the new government, setting precedents for future presidents and transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality.
Washington's endorsement of the Constitution carried significant weight, and his signature on the document further bolstered its credibility. Federalists urged others to accept the Constitution because Washington had signed it, and his support helped secure the votes necessary for ratification. Washington's influence was so profound that James Monroe remarked in a letter to Thomas Jefferson, "Be assured, [Washington's] influence carried the government."
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Frequently asked questions
The document that supported the ratification of the US Constitution was "The Federalist Papers", a collection of 85 essays explaining and defending how the proposed new government would function.
"The Federalist Papers" were written by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
"The Federalist Papers" were published in newspapers nationwide to defend the proposed new government and explain how it would function. The essays addressed concerns about individual liberties and argued for the ratification of the Constitution.
The authors of "The Federalist Papers" argued for a strong national government with a powerful central government and an army, which would better protect the states than their militias. They also guaranteed that amendments would be added to protect individual liberties.
Yes, the arguments presented in "The Federalist Papers" helped sway delegates to ratification conventions in many states. The essays were influential in building support for the Constitution and addressing concerns about individual liberties.
