Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 out of 41 delegates, following a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The initial purpose of the convention was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the outcome was a proposal for a new form of government. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. New York and Virginia were among the last states to ratify the Constitution, with New York doing so on July 26, 1788, and Virginia on June 2, 1788.
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What You'll Learn
- New York was at the centre of the ratification controversy
- The Virginia Plan was designed for a strong national government
- The New Jersey Plan was designed to protect small states
- The Connecticut Compromise utilised both forms of representation
- The First Congress proposed 12 amendments to secure the ninth state
New York was at the centre of the ratification controversy
The road to the ratification of the US Constitution was a long and winding one, with New York at the centre of the controversy. The summer of 1788 proved to be a critical juncture, with the fate of the Constitution hanging in the balance. New York's initial stance was largely opposed to ratification, with a significant majority of delegates against it. The vote in New York was predicted to be 19 in favour and 46 against, a stark contrast to the evenly split votes expected in New Hampshire and Virginia.
New York's Alexander Hamilton played a pivotal role in calling for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. This initiative was endorsed by the Confederation Congress, leading to the gathering of representatives from all 13 states in Philadelphia in May 1787. While the initial purpose was to amend the Articles of Confederation, the convention ultimately resulted in the proposal of a new form of government.
The Virginia Plan, introduced by James Madison, outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It called for proportional representation in a bicameral legislature, where each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population. In contrast, the New Jersey Plan, designed to protect the interests of smaller states, proposed equal representation in a unicameral legislature. The Connecticut Compromise, adopted in July 1787, aimed to strike a balance by providing proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
Amidst these debates, New York's delegates were deeply engaged in the process. Alexander Hamilton's annotations in the Committee of Detail draft illustrate the complexities and challenges faced by the delegates. Hamilton also collaborated with James Madison and John Jay of New York to produce a series of articles published in New York newspapers, advocating for the Constitution and targeting anti-Federal forces.
The ratification of the Constitution by New York, by a narrow margin of 30-27, marked a significant shift. This occurred towards the end of June, shortly after news of Virginia's ratification reached the state. The close vote in New York reflected the intense controversy surrounding the adoption of the Constitution, with the state's delegates ultimately opting for ratification with the promise of recommended amendments. New York's ratification, along with that of Virginia and New Hampshire, played a crucial role in securing the Constitution's future.
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The Virginia Plan was designed for a strong national government
The Virginia Plan, also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan, was a proposed plan of government for the United States presented at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The plan was drafted by James Madison and Edmund Randolph and introduced by the latter on May 29, 1787. The Virginia Plan was designed for a strong national government, composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
The Virginia Plan called for a legislature divided into two bodies: the Senate and the House of Representatives, with proportional representation based on population. This was a significant departure from the Articles of Confederation, which provided for a weak central government with limited powers and no executive or judicial branches. The plan aimed to address the issues with the Articles, which lacked the authority to enforce its laws and treaties and was unable to raise taxes or regulate commerce effectively.
To prevent state interference with the national government's authority, Madison believed in the necessity of enforcing national supremacy. He advocated for Congress to have veto power over state laws and the ability to use force against non-compliant states. Additionally, Madison proposed that representation in Congress should be apportioned by population, giving more votes to more populous states. This was in contrast to the Articles, where each state received a single vote.
The Virginia Plan also included provisions for the admission of new states, the guarantee of a Republican Government, and the continuance of Congress and its authorities until the reform of the Articles of Union. It outlined the basic principles of government and served as a foundation for debate at the Constitutional Convention, influencing the overall agenda and the eventual shape of the US Constitution.
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The New Jersey Plan was designed to protect small states
The New Jersey Plan, introduced on June 15, 1787, was an alternative plan for drafting the US Constitution. It was designed to protect the security and power of small states by giving each state equal representation in a unicameral (single-chamber) legislature, regardless of its population. This was in contrast to the Virginia Plan, which called for proportional representation in a bicameral (two-house) legislature, giving more weight to larger states.
The New Jersey Plan, also known as "The Small State Plan" or "The Paterson Plan", was proposed by William Paterson of New Jersey and supported by delegates from other small states like New York, Connecticut, and Delaware. They feared that the Virginia Plan's proportional representation would result in their interests being overshadowed by those of the larger states. The New Jersey Plan aimed to address this by giving each state one vote in Congress, as under the existing Articles of Confederation.
The plan also sought to keep power in the hands of the states by revising the Articles of Confederation. It proposed expanding the power of the Congress of the Confederation while maintaining its structure. Additionally, it suggested that Congress should gain the authority to raise funds through tariffs and regulate commerce, with cases heard by state courts unless appealed to the federal judiciary.
While the New Jersey Plan was ultimately rejected by a vote of 7-3 at the Constitutional Convention, it influenced the drafting of the Constitution. The Connecticut Compromise, adopted on July 16, 1787, incorporated elements of both plans. It provided for proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate, addressing the concerns of smaller states.
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The Connecticut Compromise utilised both forms of representation
The creation of the United States Constitution was a complex and lengthy process, with the Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, at its centre. The Plan outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also called for a legislature divided into two bodies (the Senate and the House of Representatives) with proportional representation. This meant that each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population.
However, this plan was not universally accepted, and smaller states feared that their interests would not be protected under such a system. In response, William Paterson of New Jersey proposed an alternative plan, which intended to give states equal representation in a one-bodied legislature. This plan aimed to safeguard the power of smaller states by allowing each state a single vote in Congress, as outlined in the Articles of Confederation.
The Connecticut Compromise, adopted on July 16, 1787, served as a middle ground between these two competing visions. It utilised both forms of representation by providing proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. This compromise was a significant step forward in the creation of a unified form of government for the newly independent states.
The Connecticut Compromise was not the only instance of negotiation and deal-making during the Constitutional Convention. The ratification process was a highly contested affair, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists vying for influence. New York, in particular, was a focal point of the ratification controversy. While some states opposed the Constitution due to its lack of protection for certain rights, the "ratify now, amend later" compromise, agreed upon in Massachusetts, provided a way forward. This compromise stipulated that amendments, such as the Bill of Rights, would be proposed immediately after ratification.
On July 26, 1787, New York ratified the Constitution by a narrow margin, with the promise of recommended amendments. This shift in New York's stance was significant, as it was one of the three critical states, along with Virginia and New Hampshire, whose ratification was essential for the Constitution's adoption. The influence of Alexander Hamilton, a prominent New Yorker, was also crucial in shaping the Constitution and setting the stage for a stronger, more centralised government.
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The First Congress proposed 12 amendments to secure the ninth state
The founding of the United States of America was a complex and challenging process, with the nation's leaders seeking to establish a stronger, more centralised government. The Constitutional Convention, convened in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, was initially intended to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the delegates, including James Madison and George Washington, ended up drafting a new form of government, presenting a plan for a strong national government.
Madison and Washington, along with other Virginia delegates, proposed the Virginia Plan, which outlined a bicameral (two-house) legislature and a strong national government with veto power over state laws. This plan, designed to protect the interests of large states, served as the basis for debate. It called for proportional representation, with each state's representation in Congress based on its population.
The Virginia Plan faced opposition, particularly from smaller states that sought to protect their power and security. As a compromise, the Connecticut Compromise was adopted on July 16, 1787, utilising both forms of representation. This provided for proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
The process of ratification was challenging, with close votes in several states, including New Hampshire, Virginia, and New York. The ninth state, New Hampshire, ratified the Constitution on June 24, 1788, but the debate continued. The Federalists and Antifederalists were locked in a tight battle, with the Federalists needing just one more state to ratify the Constitution.
The First Congress proposed 12 amendments to secure the ratification of the ninth state, which was crucial to the Constitution's adoption. These amendments addressed concerns about the protection of rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The promise of these amendments helped persuade delegates from Virginia and New York to ratify the Constitution. On July 26, 1788, New York ratified the Constitution by a vote of 30-27, with the understanding that amendments would be proposed. This shift in New York was significant, as it moved from 19 in favour to 30 in favour.
The 12 amendments proposed by the First Congress played a pivotal role in securing the ratification of the Constitution by Virginia and New York, ultimately leading to the establishment of the United States of America as we know it today.
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Frequently asked questions
The Virginia Plan was a plan of government presented by Virginia delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It outlined a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The plan called for a bicameral legislature with proportional representation, meaning each state's representation in Congress would be based on its population.
The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, was designed to protect the interests of smaller states by giving each state equal representation in a unicameral legislature.
The Connecticut Compromise, adopted on July 16, 1787, aimed to strike a balance between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. It provided for proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
New York was initially opposed to ratifying the Constitution, with a vote of 19 in favor and 46 against. However, after Virginia's ratification, New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1787, by a vote of 30-27, on the promise of recommended amendments.
