Jonah Patel
The ratification of the Constitution was a hotly debated topic in the late 18th century. The Federalists were in favour of ratification and produced a body of writing known as The Federalist Papers to argue their case. The Anti-Federalists also wrote extensively, albeit less than their opponents, to argue against ratification. The arguments of the Federalists were persuasive, but it is unclear whether they actually changed the minds of New Yorkers. The promise of a bill of rights was also a key factor in persuading delegates in many states to support ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The Federalist Papers | Persuaded people to ratify the Constitution |
| The Anti-Federalist Papers | Argued against the ratification of the Constitution |
| The promise of a bill of rights | Persuaded delegates in many states to support ratification |
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What You'll Learn
The Federalist Papers
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson corresponded about the ratification of the Constitution. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, Jefferson reiterated his concerns about the need for a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms. He wrote, "In the arguments in favor of a declaration of rights...".
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The Anti-Federalist Papers
The Anti-Federalists were concerned about the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution, which they believed was necessary to protect citizens' freedoms. This was especially important in Virginia, where the Virginia Declaration of Rights was the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. The Anti-Federalists refused to ratify the Constitution without a bill of rights, and their efforts led to the promise that a bill of rights would be drafted for the Constitution. This persuaded delegates in many states to support ratification.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, for example, had a lively correspondence regarding the ratification of the Constitution. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, Jefferson reiterated his concerns about the lack of a bill of rights, stating that "a declaration of rights... should be added to the Constitution".
The Anti-Federalists' arguments were persuasive, but it is unclear whether they actually succeeded in changing the minds of New Yorkers. Once Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788, New York realised that it had little choice but to do so as well.
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The Virginia Declaration of Rights
The promise that a bill of rights would be drafted for the Constitution eventually persuaded delegates in many states to support ratification. This was a key factor in getting the Constitution approved by all thirteen states.
The Declaration consists of 16 sections, or articles, that outline the rights of Virginia citizens. These include freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to a trial by jury, and the right to bear arms. The Declaration also establishes the principle of separation of powers, with the government divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
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John Adams' and Thomas Jefferson's correspondence
The Federalist Papers were written to persuade people to ratify the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists also produced a body of writings, less extensive than The Federalist Papers, which argued against the ratification of the Constitution. These were not written by one small group of men as The Federalist Papers had been.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson carried on a lively correspondence regarding the ratification of the Constitution. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, after the Constitution had been ratified by nine states but before it had been approved by all thirteen, Jefferson reiterated his previously expressed concerns that a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was necessary and should be added to the Constitution.
The lack of a bill of rights was especially problematic in Virginia, as the Virginia Declaration of Rights was the most extensive rights-granting document among the states. The promise that a bill of rights would be drafted for the Constitution persuaded delegates in many states to support ratification.
In their correspondence, Adams and Jefferson discussed the arguments in favour of a declaration of rights. They also debated the role of the federal government in protecting citizens' freedoms. Jefferson argued that the federal government should have a limited role in protecting citizens' rights, while Adams believed that the federal government should have a more active role in guaranteeing those rights.
The correspondence between Adams and Jefferson provides valuable insight into the debates and discussions that took place during the ratification of the Constitution. It also highlights the importance of a bill of rights in protecting citizens' freedoms and the role of the federal government in guaranteeing those rights.
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The promise of a bill of rights
The Federalist Papers, available on the Library of Congress website, were written to persuade people to ratify the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists also produced a body of writings, which argued against the ratification of the Constitution. However, these were not written by one small group of men as The Federalist Papers had been.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson corresponded regarding the ratification of the Constitution. In a letter dated March 15, 1789, Jefferson reiterated his previously expressed concerns that a bill of rights to protect citizens' freedoms was necessary and should be added to the Constitution:
> 'In the arguments in favor of a declaration of rights...'
The Federalist Papers and the promise of a bill of rights played a significant role in persuading people to ratify the Constitution. The arguments presented in these writings and the assurance of a bill of rights addressed the concerns of many delegates and citizens, ultimately leading to the ratification of the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalist Papers were a body of writings produced by Federalists to argue for the ratification of the Constitution. They are available on the Library of Congress website.
The Anti-Federalist Papers were a body of writings produced by Anti-Federalists to argue against the ratification of the Constitution. They are less extensive than The Federalist Papers and were not written by one small group of men. They are also available online.
The Anti-Federalists argued for a bill of rights to be included in the Constitution to protect citizens' freedoms. This was especially important in Virginia, as the Virginia Declaration of Rights was the most extensive rights-granting document among the states.
It is unclear whether the Federalists' arguments actually changed the minds of New Yorkers. However, once Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788, New York realised it had little choice but to do the same.
