The Constitutional Convention's Method For Ratification

The ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a long and arduous process. Previous attempts to amend the Articles of Confederation had failed due to the requirement for unanimous approval from state legislatures. To overcome this, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention proposed an alternative method of ratification, deciding that nine of the thirteen states would need to ratify the Constitution for it to be implemented. This was a politically astute decision as it would be easier to obtain ratification from ad hoc state conventions than from legislatures. The stature of the Convention's delegates, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, also helped generate widespread confidence in the proposal. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, and on June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the U.S. government when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it.

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The unanimity requirement

The Articles of Confederation, which governed the United States before the Constitution, required the unanimous approval of the state legislatures for any amendments to be made. This posed a problem for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, who knew that achieving unanimity among the states would be difficult, if not impossible. Rhode Island, for example, was not even represented at the Convention, and New York was likely to oppose any significant transfer of power from the states to Congress.

To overcome this obstacle, the delegates proposed and utilised politically astute alternatives to the unanimity requirement. They recognised the importance of obtaining majorities of both states and people, understanding that ratification by a few small states might not provide a majority of people. On August 31, 1787, the delegates voted that nine out of the thirteen states would need to ratify the Constitution for it to be implemented. This decision was based on the fact that nine was the number of states required in the Confederation Congress to adopt important matters such as declaring war, ratifying treaties, and admitting new states into the Union.

The delegates also decided to substitute state conventions for state legislatures as the bodies responsible for considering ratification. This approach aligned with the philosophical idea that conventions, by representing the will of the people directly, would make the new federal Constitution superior to any specific legislature. Additionally, it was recognised that obtaining ratification from ad hoc state conventions that would meet only once and then disband would be politically easier than convincing legislatures to give up some of their powers.

The Convention's proposal was supported by all of America's newspapers, which encouraged their readers to accept it. The stature of the delegates, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, also contributed to the widespread confidence in the proposal. As a result, when the Convention adjourned, the American people and their state legislatures were inclined to accept its recommendations. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify, making the Constitution the official framework of the US government. The remaining states eventually ratified the Constitution as well, with Rhode Island being the last to do so on May 29, 1790.

State conventions

The ratification of the new Constitution of 1787 was a critical process. The previous governing document, the Articles of Confederation, required the unanimous approval of state legislatures for any amendments. This posed a problem, as some states were likely to oppose any transfer of power from the states to Congress.

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention, including prominent figures such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, decided to substitute state legislatures with state conventions as the bodies to consider ratification. This decision was politically astute, as it would be easier to obtain ratification from ad hoc state conventions that would meet only once and then disband. Additionally, conventions representing the will of the people directly would philosophically elevate the new federal Constitution above any specific legislature. State conventions also allowed prominent men who were not state legislators to participate in the ratification debate, including governors, judges, delegates to Congress, and religious ministers in some states.

The delegates also determined that ratification by nine out of thirteen states would be sufficient to implement the new Constitution. This was a politically strategic decision, as nine states were required in the Confederation Congress to adopt important matters such as declaring war and ratifying treaties. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it the official framework of the United States government.

The journey to ratification was long and challenging, with some states voicing opposition to the Constitution due to a lack of protection for certain rights. However, the Massachusetts Compromise of 1788 addressed these concerns by stipulating that amendments, later known as the Bill of Rights, would be immediately proposed. The Constitution was not ratified by all states until May 29, 1790, when Rhode Island, which was not even represented at the Constitutional Convention, finally approved the document.

The role of newspapers

Newspapers played a significant role in the ratification of the new Constitution. Following the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, 38 out of 41 delegates signed the new U.S. Constitution. This marked the beginning of the ratification process, with the delegates actively lobbying for votes in favour of ratification. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison led these efforts, with support from John Jay. Together, they produced 85 essays, known as "The Federalist Papers," which explained and advocated for the proposed new government. These essays were published in newspapers across the nation, reaching a wide audience and influencing public opinion.

The Federalist Papers were instrumental in shaping public discourse and generating support for the Constitution. They provided a detailed explanation of how the new government would function and addressed concerns about the need for a stronger, more centralized government. By publishing these essays in newspapers, the delegates were able to effectively communicate their ideas to the American people and build a case for why the Constitution should be ratified.

Additionally, newspapers themselves played an active role in promoting the ratification of the Constitution. All of America's newspapers at the time supported the Convention and encouraged their readers to accept its proposals. For example, the printers of the Northern Centinel in Lansingburgh, New York, expressed their belief that it was their "duty [...] to prepare the minds of their readers" for the Convention's proposal. The stature of the Convention delegates, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, also contributed to the positive reception of the Constitution by both the public and state legislatures.

The widespread dissemination of information and ideas through newspapers helped create a national dialogue about the proposed Constitution. It allowed people from different states to engage in discussions and debates, fostering a sense of collective decision-making. This played a crucial role in generating momentum for ratification, as it created a sense of unity and consensus across the nation.

Overall, newspapers served as a powerful tool for disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and facilitating a national conversation about the ratification of the Constitution. They provided a platform for delegates to articulate their ideas, address concerns, and build support for the new government. The active role played by newspapers in this process underscores their influence and impact on shaping the course of American history.

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The role of prominent men

One of the key advantages of holding conventions was that they allowed prominent men who were not state legislators to participate in the ratification debate. Many former public servants, including governors, judges, delegates to Congress, and religious ministers in five states, were now able to contribute their expertise and influence.

The stature and credibility of the Convention delegates, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, played a significant role in generating widespread confidence in the process. Their presence and support inclined the American people and their state legislatures toward accepting the Convention's recommendations.

Alexander Hamilton, for instance, played a pivotal role in calling for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. He led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution, collaborating with James Madison and John Jay to produce "The Federalist Papers". These 85 essays explained and defended the proposed new government's functioning and were published in newspapers nationwide, shaping public opinion and influencing other states to follow suit.

The support of prominent men extended beyond the Convention delegates. For example, George Washington, who was later elected as the nation's first president, would have carried significant influence as a Founding Father and military leader. The backing of such respected figures likely influenced public sentiment and encouraged state legislatures to ratify the new Constitution.

In conclusion, the role of prominent men was instrumental in the ratification of the new Constitution. Their participation, influence, and support helped shape public opinion, generate widespread confidence, and secure the necessary approvals from state legislatures. The inclusion of influential individuals outside of state legislatures in the ratification process was a strategic move that contributed significantly to the successful adoption of the new Constitution.

The number of ratifying states

The delegates, including prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and generating support for the proposed Constitution. They understood the need to obtain majorities of both states and people, as simply achieving ratification from seven small states might not provide a majority of people. The substitution of state conventions instead of state legislatures as the bodies considering ratification was also strategically significant. This approach aligned with the philosophical idea of representing the will of the people directly, making the new federal Constitution superior to specific legislatures.

The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware 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, marking the point at which it became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The remaining four states, including Rhode Island, which initially opposed a stronger central government, eventually ratified the Constitution by May 29, 1790, solidifying its position as the nation's governing document.

It is worth noting that the process of ratifying amendments to the Constitution has evolved. While the original ratification process focused on achieving a specific number of ratifying states, the current procedure, outlined in Article V of the Constitution, requires ratification by three-fourths (38 out of 50) of the states. This process involves Congress proposing an amendment with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Archivist of the United States administering the ratification process.

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