Isabella Carter
The ratification of the US Constitution was a highly contested process, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists engaging in a series of debates and essays to influence public opinion. Supporters of the Constitution, the Federalists, argued for the need for a stronger central government, believing that without the ability to maintain an army and navy, impose taxes, and enforce compliance with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties. Notable Federalists included Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, and George Washington. In contrast, Anti-Federalists, including small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers, feared that the Constitution would give the federal government too much power at the expense of the states and lead to a violation of traditional rights and civil liberties. Despite the opposition, the Constitution gained the required support, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to approve it in June 1788, making it the law of the land.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supporters of ratification | Federalists |
| Power of state and federal governments | The framers of the Constitution believed that the federal government needed the power to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress. |
| Re-election | Supporters argued that re-electing the president and reappointing senators by state legislatures would create a body of experienced men who could better guide the country through crises. |
| Checks and balances | Federalists argued that the Constitution included built-in checks and balances meant to divide power between the three branches of government and preserve the rights of the people and states. |
| Individual liberties | Some Federalists believed that the Constitution did not need to guarantee the protection of individual liberties, as this was already provided for through the inclusion of habeas corpus and the prohibition of religious tests for holding office and granting noble titles. |
| Role of the Senate | Federalists did not see the role of the Senate in ratifying treaties without concurrence in the House of Representatives as a concern. |
| Size of Congress | Federalists did not believe that Congress was too small to adequately represent the people within the states. |
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What You'll Learn
Federalists believed a strong central government was necessary
Federalists believed that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, the authors of the Federalist Papers, argued for the need for a stronger central government and addressed people’s fears about a federal government. They believed that without the ability to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and force the states to comply with laws passed by Congress, the young nation would not survive for very long.
The Federalists, in their series of 85 essays, outlined the built-in checks and balances meant to divide power between the three branches of the government and preserve the rights of the people and states. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution, addressing the concerns of those who believed that the Constitution did not guarantee protection of individual liberties.
The Federalists also believed that reelecting the president and reappointing senators by state legislatures would create a body of experienced men who could better guide the country through crises. A president who did not prove to be a good leader would be voted out of office instead of being reelected.
The ratification of the Constitution was a highly debated topic, with Anti-Federalists arguing that the Constitution gave the federal government too much power and that it lacked a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. The Federalists, on the other hand, supported the Constitution and believed that a strong central government was necessary for the country's survival and prosperity.
The Federalists' arguments ultimately prevailed, and in June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve the Constitution, making it the law of the land. The large and prosperous states of Virginia and New York followed shortly thereafter, and the remaining states also joined.
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The Federalists Papers advocated for ratification
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. They were published in New York newspapers, primarily The Independent Journal and The New York Packet, between October 1787 and August 1788. The authors of The Federalist Papers intended to influence the voters to ratify the Constitution. They explicitly set out to frame the debate in broad political terms, arguing that the American people had the unique opportunity to establish a good government through reflection and choice.
The Federalist Papers were written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution. The essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail. For instance, in Federalist No. 10, Madison discusses the necessity of a strong government to lead the new nation. The Federalists promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties. They countered that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation and prevent it from collapsing.
The Federalist Papers were also used to launch a measured defence and extensive explanation of the proposed Constitution to the people of New York. Hamilton wrote in Federalist No. 1 that the series would "endeavour to give a satisfactory answer to all the objections which shall have made their appearance, that may seem to have any claim to your attention." The Federalists wanted to convince people that the new government would not become tyrannical.
The Federalists Papers were particularly important because they offered insight into the intentions of key individuals who debated the elements of the Constitution. They are often used today to help interpret the intentions of those drafting the Constitution. Federal judges, when interpreting the Constitution, frequently use The Federalist Papers as a contemporary account of the intentions of the framers and ratifiers.
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The Federalists promised to add a bill of rights
The Federalists, supporters of the ratification of the US Constitution, promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution to address concerns about individual liberties and the power of the federal government.
The Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation effectively. They recognised that some people feared that the federal government would become too powerful and infringe on individual freedoms. In response, they promised to add a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison, played a crucial role in this debate. These essays, published in New York newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788, analysed the Constitution and outlined the checks and balances designed to divide power between the three branches of government and safeguard the rights of the people and states.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, objected to the Constitution, believing it gave too much power to the federal government and lacked guarantees for individual liberties. They included small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers. Patrick Henry, an outspoken Anti-Federalist, warned that a powerful national government would violate natural rights and civil liberties, including the right to a jury trial and freedom of the press.
The debate over the bill of rights was a significant aspect of the ratification process. In Massachusetts, for example, the Federalists were forced to promise to consider amendments protecting individual liberties after ratification. This compromise helped build support for the Constitution, and eventually, in June 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it, making it the law of the land.
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Federalists argued for re-electing the president
Federalists, or supporters of the ratification of the US Constitution, argued for re-electing the president as they believed that this would create a body of experienced men who could better guide the country through crises. They contended that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation, and that a president who did not prove to be a good leader would be voted out of office instead of being re-elected.
The Federalists, including prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, defended the Constitution and sought to address people's fears about the federal government. They believed that the federal government needed sufficient power to maintain and command an army and navy, impose taxes, and enforce compliance with laws passed by Congress. Without these powers, they argued, the young nation would not survive for long.
To promote their cause, Federalists authored the "Federalist Papers," a series of 85 essays published in New York newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison did not sign their names to the essays but used assumed names such as Publius. The essays urged New York delegates to ratify the Constitution and outlined the built-in checks and balances meant to divide power between the three branches of government and preserve the rights of the people and states.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, objected to the Constitution, arguing that it gave too much power to the federal government at the expense of the states and lacked a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. They included small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers, with Patrick Henry as one of their most outspoken leaders. The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists played out in essays and state conventions, with Federalists ultimately succeeding in achieving ratification of the Constitution in 1788.
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Federalists believed the constitution ruled with consent of the people
The Federalists were supporters of the Constitution and wanted a stronger federal government. They believed that the Constitution ensured individual rights for citizens and that a "Bill of Rights" was unnecessary. Federalists asserted that when the people formed their state constitutions, they delegated to the state all rights and powers which were not explicitly retained by the people. They also believed that the new federal government could in no way endanger the freedoms of the press or religion since it was not granted any authority to regulate either.
The Federalists argued that a strong central government was necessary to lead the new nation. They also promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, in particular, argued in favor of ratification and sought to convince people that the new government would not become tyrannical.
The Federalists believed that the Constitution ruled with the consent of the people. This was because the convention delegates, who were chosen by popular vote, approved it. The new nation was to be a republic in which power was held by the people through their elected representatives.
The Federalists also argued that re-electing the president and reappointing senators by state legislatures would create a body of experienced men who could better guide the country through crises. A president who did not prove to be a good leader would be voted out of office instead of being re-elected.
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Frequently asked questions
Supporters of the ratification of the Constitution were called Federalists.
Federalists believed in leaving the Constitution as it was and supported ratification. They were made up of the working class and feared the power of the national government.
Federalists argued that a stronger central government would be better able to defend the nation and that a powerful national government would not threaten individual liberties. They also argued that re-electing the president and re-appointing senators would create a body of experienced leaders who could better guide the country.
Smaller states, like Delaware, favoured the Constitution as it offered them protection under a stronger federal government and equal representation in the Senate. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
