Omar Bennett
George Washington played a vital role in the ratification of the US Constitution. As the president of the Constitutional Convention, he rarely participated in debates, but when the Constitution headed to the states for approval, he took an active role in the ratification process. Before leaving Philadelphia for Virginia, Washington sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the three most recent governors of Virginia, urging them to support the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| A widespread, uncoordinated campaign to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised | David Humphreys of Connecticut wrote to George Washington that "the well-affected have not been wanting in efforts to prepare the minds of the citizens for the favorable reception of whatever might be the result of your Proceedings. . . . Judicious & well-timed publications have great efficacy in ripening the judgment of men" |
| George Washington's active role in the ratification process | Sending copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph |
| George Washington's advocacy for the rights of colonists | George Mason |
| Legal requirements for ratification | Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect |
| The role of state conventions | To inform the public of the provisions of the proposed new government and serve as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas |
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What You'll Learn
George Washington's advocacy
Before leaving Philadelphia for Virginia, Washington sent copies of the document to influential figures, including Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph. He hoped to gain their support and address any reservations they may have had about the Constitution. Once back at Mount Vernon, Washington dedicated his mornings to writing letters to political leaders across the nation, urging them to support the Constitution.
Washington's efforts were part of a broader campaign to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed revision to maintain the Union. David Humphreys of Connecticut, in a letter to Washington, acknowledged the importance of "judicious & well-timed publications" in shaping public opinion and preparing citizens for the changes ahead. Washington's advocacy, along with that of other influential figures, helped build momentum and support for the ratification of the Constitution.
The ratification process itself was complex and required careful strategy. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention recognised the challenge of achieving unanimity among the states, especially with Rhode Island unrepresented and New York likely to oppose a significant transfer of power to Congress. They decided that ratification by nine states would be necessary for the Constitution to take effect, reflecting the will of the electorate.
Washington's role as president of the Constitutional Convention and his active advocacy for the ratification of the Constitution were crucial. His influence, combined with the efforts of other proponents, helped ensure that the necessary nine states ratified the document, paving the way for its implementation and the formation of the United States as we know it today.
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The role of state conventions
The state conventions played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution. They were the agents of ratification, which meant that the Constitution's authority came from representatives of the people specifically elected to approve or disapprove of the charter. This approach ensured a more accurate reflection of the will of the electorate.
The state conventions served multiple purposes beyond the legal requirements for ratification. One of their key functions was to inform the public about the provisions of the proposed new government. The Constitution had been drafted in secrecy during the Philadelphia Convention, and the ratifying conventions provided a platform to communicate its contents to the people.
Additionally, the state conventions served as forums for debate and discussion. They provided an opportunity for proponents and opponents of the Constitution to articulate their ideas and perspectives before the citizenry. This allowed for a more informed and engaged public, as people could hear both sides of the argument and make their own judgments.
The state conventions played a vital role in ensuring that the ratification process was democratic and representative. By involving the people directly, the conventions helped to legitimise the Constitution and ensure that it reflected the will of the people. This was a significant step towards establishing a new form of government that would be accepted and supported by the citizens of the United States.
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The Articles of Confederation
In the late 1780s, a widespread campaign emerged to convince the people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised to maintain the Union. This campaign, which took place throughout the country, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and preparing the minds of citizens for the changes that would come with the new Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia, was a pivotal moment in the revision of the Articles of Confederation. The delegates at the convention, including George Washington, recognized the need for a stronger central government and worked to draft a new constitution that would address the shortcomings of the Articles. They knew that obtaining ratification from a majority of both states and people would be crucial for the success of their proposal.
The ratification process for the new Constitution was a complex and lengthy endeavour. Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect. This requirement reflected the understanding that the Constitution's authority should come from representatives of the people specifically elected for the purpose of approving or disapproving the charter. George Washington played an active role in this process, using his influence to urge political leaders and citizens to support the Constitution.
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The Constitutional Convention
The delegates knew that obtaining a majority of both states and people would be crucial to the ratification process. They were aware that Rhode Island was not represented at the Convention and that New York was likely to oppose any significant transfer of power from the states to Congress. Therefore, they decided that nine states ratifying the Constitution would be appropriate, as this was the number required in the Confederation Congress to adopt important matters such as borrowing money, declaring war, and ratifying treaties.
Before the convention, a widespread campaign took place throughout the country to convince people that the Articles of Confederation needed to be revised to maintain the Union. After the convention, Washington sent copies of the document to political leaders, including Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the three most recent governors of Virginia, urging them to support the Constitution.
The state conventions served the purpose of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government and providing a forum for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas. The ratification of the Constitution by the state conventions, rather than Congress, ensured that its authority came directly from representatives of the people elected specifically for this purpose, reflecting the will of the electorate.
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The nine-state requirement
Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787 decided that nine states would be appropriate to implement the Constitution among the ratifying states. This was because nine was the number of states necessary in the Confederation Congress to adopt important matters such as borrowing money, declaring war, ratifying treaties, and admitting new states into the Union.
The state conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. They also served as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas before the citizenry. Significantly, state conventions, not Congress, were the agents of ratification. This approach insured that the Constitution's authority came from representatives of the people specifically elected for the purpose of approving or disapproving the charter, resulting in a more accurate reflection of the will of the electorate.
George Washington, as the president of the Constitutional Convention, took an active role in the ratification process. He sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph, urging them to support the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington played a vital role in the ratification of the Constitution. As president of the Constitutional Convention, he rarely participated in the debates, but when the Constitution headed to the states for approval, he took an active role in the ratification process. He sent copies of the document to Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, and Edmund Randolph, urging them to support the Constitution.
Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to go into effect.
The state conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. They also served as forums for proponents and opponents to articulate their ideas before the citizenry. Significantly, state conventions, not Congress, were the agents of ratification.
The delegates determined the method most likely to ensure their proposal's adoption. They knew that the unanimity requirement of the Articles would doom any hopes of ratification, so they felt it necessary to obtain majorities of both states and people.
