Eleanor Finch
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the only state not to participate in the drafting of the new Constitution. When the new Constitution was produced, Rhode Island refused to ratify it, holding its own referendum in March 1788, which rejected the proposed basic law by a vote of 2,714 to 238. Eventually, under strong federal and internal pressure, Rhode Island ratified the Constitution in 1790.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island's role in the drafting and ratification of the US Constitution | Unlike other states |
| Rhode Island's participation in the 1787 Convention | Did not send a delegation |
| Rhode Island's ratification of the Constitution | Ratified in 1790 |
| Rhode Island's reasons for resisting the Constitution | (1) Lacked a Bill of Rights; (2) Assented to slavery; (3) Threatened state sovereignty; (4) Specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification |
| Rhode Island's actions in response to the Convention | Held its own referendum in March 1788, rejecting the proposed law by a vote of 2,714 to 238 |
| Rhode Island's compliance with the Constitution | Authorized a ratifying convention in January 1790 due to strong federal and internal pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Why did Rhode Island refuse to ratify the Constitution?
Rhode Island refused to ratify the Constitution because it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The state was also concerned that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights, and that it gave assent to slavery. It also threatened state sovereignty, and specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification. Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and it was the only state that did not participate in the proceedings. The state also had a large Quaker population that was offended by provisions on the slave trade. The Federalists' scorn for the state's "excess of democracy" made its residents see the Constitution as a threat.
Rhode Island had quickly ratified the nation's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, which exalted state sovereignty and created a weak central government with little coercive power or financial resources. The Articles gave each state a veto on legislation, and Rhode Island exercised its veto early by opposing the proposed Impost, or Tariff, of 1781, which would have given the central government a significant source of revenue. When the Founding Fathers moved to strengthen the central government via a convention called merely to amend the Articles, Rhode Island declined to attend. When that 1787 Convention produced a new Constitution, Rhode Island refused to ratify it.
Rhode Island continued to effectively operate outside the new governmental structure, and nearly a dozen conventions that had been called in the state to ratify the constitution failed to do so, often by wide margins. In one instance, 92% of the delegates voted against ratification. Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution in 1790.
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What was the outcome of Rhode Island's resistance?
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Instead, it sent the ratification question to individual towns, asking them to vote. Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution in 1790.
Rhode Island had several reasons for resisting the new Constitution. Firstly, it lacked a Bill of Rights. Secondly, it gave assent to slavery in Article I, Section 2, the Three-fifths Clause, relating to representation in the House; in Article I, Section 9, the 20-year moratorium on any federal law banning the foreign slave trade; and in Article IV, Section 2, the Fugitive Slave Clause. Thirdly, it threatened state sovereignty. And fourthly, it specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification.
Rhode Island's resistance to the Constitution was ultimately unsuccessful. The state ratified the Constitution in 1790, but not before proposing 21 amendments to the document.
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How did Rhode Island eventually ratify the Constitution?
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. When asked to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island sent the question to individual towns to vote on. Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution on 29 May 1790.
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution, more than a year after it went into effect. The state was threatened with isolation from the Union if it did not ratify the Constitution. The United States Senate passed a bill on 18 May 1790 that would ban all trade with Rhode Island if enacted. The Rhode Island General Assembly capitulated 11 days later and ratified the Constitution, before the proposed embargo could be acted on by the United States House of Representatives.
Rhode Island's resistance to ratifying the Constitution was due to several reasons, including its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states.
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What were the implications of Rhode Island's actions?
Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in the drafting of the US Constitution. When asked to convene a state convention to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island instead sent the ratification question to individual towns asking them to vote. Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution in 1790.
Rhode Island's resistance to ratifying the Constitution was due to several reasons. Firstly, the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. Secondly, it lacked a Bill of Rights. Thirdly, it gave assent to slavery in multiple clauses. Fourthly, it threatened state sovereignty. And finally, it specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification.
The implications of Rhode Island's actions were significant. Firstly, it meant that the state effectively operated outside the new governmental structure for a period of time. Secondly, it led to secession threats from other states and internal pressure within Rhode Island itself. Thirdly, it resulted in strong federal pressure and financial demands from the Federalists. And finally, it contributed to the proposal of amendments to the Constitution, with Rhode Island's approval being accompanied by 21 suggested amendments.
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What were the reasons for Rhode Island's resistance?
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. When asked to convene a state convention to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island instead sent the ratification question to individual towns asking them to vote. Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution in 1790.
There were several reasons for Rhode Island’s resistance. One was the concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. Another was that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights. It also gave assent to slavery in several clauses, threatened state sovereignty, and specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification.
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Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The new Constitution took effect on March 4, 1789, without Rhode Island's ratification, and the state continued to operate outside the new governmental structure.
Rhode Island refused to ratify the Constitution because it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The state also believed the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights and threatened state sovereignty.
Rhode Island eventually ratified the Constitution in 1790 due to strong federal and internal pressure, including secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol. The approval was accompanied by 21 suggested amendments to the founding document.
The delay in ratification led to threats of tariffs and other financial demands from Federalists. There were also secession threats from Providence and other towns. Rhode Island's resistance to ratifying the Constitution also resulted in a narrow vote margin of 34 to 32, the closest of any state.
