Eleanor Finch
The ratification of the US Constitution was a lengthy and contentious process that culminated in the establishment of a new federal government. The Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787, and it required ratification by at least nine of the 13 states to take effect. The ratification sparked intense debates between Federalists, who supported a strong central government, and Anti-Federalists, who feared the concentration of power in the federal government and advocated for states' rights. The process involved lobbying efforts, with Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay producing The Federalist Papers to defend the proposed government. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, and New Hampshire became the ninth and final state needed for ratification on June 21, 1788. The ratification led to the first federal elections and the election of George Washington as the first President. The addition of the Bill of Rights, addressing concerns over individual liberties, was also a significant outcome of the ratification debates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of states needed for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| First state to ratify | Delaware |
| Final state needed to ratify | New Hampshire |
| States that voiced opposition | Rhode Island, Virginia, New York |
| Date of first federal elections | December 15, 1788 |
| Date new government was set to begin | March 4, 1789 |
| First President | George Washington |
| First Vice President | John Adams |
| Number of amendments introduced by Madison | 17 |
| Number of amendments ratified by Congress to be sent to the states | 12 |
| Date Bill of Rights was ratified | December 15, 1791 |
| Number of delegates to the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Leaders of Federalists | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay |
| Leaders of Anti-Federalists | Patrick Henry, George Mason, Samuel Adams |
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What You'll Learn
The ratification process was long and chaotic
The process required ratification by nine of the thirteen states, and by June 1788, eight states had ratified the Constitution. The challenge was to convert at least three more states to ensure the establishment of a new federal government. The tide turned in Massachusetts, where a "vote now, amend later" compromise helped secure victory, and eventually, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788. However, key states like Virginia and New York remained holdouts, and their participation was crucial for the legitimacy of the new government.
The ratification process was designed to ensure that the new Constitution reflected the will of the people. Delegates to the Convention wanted to bypass state legislatures, believing that special ratifying conventions in each state would be more likely to approve the Constitution. This approach aligned with their philosophical stance that the approval of the new Constitution should be an expression of the people's will, making it superior to state legislatures. The process was also shaped by political tactics, aiming to address the concerns of larger states like New York and Virginia, which wanted to retain their influence in national affairs.
The lengthy ratification process highlighted the deeply held differences of opinion over the new Constitution and the strong desire for a national government independent of the states. The debates and compromises during this period shaped the final form of the Constitution, including the addition of the Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and address states' rights concerns. The ratification process was indeed chaotic and unpredictable, but it ultimately laid the foundation for the enduring framework of the American government.
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The Federalists and Anti-Federalists
The ratification of the US Constitution was a highly contested affair, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate. Those who supported the ratification of the Constitution called themselves Federalists, while their opponents were called Anti-Federalists.
The Federalists
The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges and that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for an effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They argued that the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. They also believed that the ratification process would demonstrate the will of the people rather than that of political elites in state legislatures.
The Anti-Federalists
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, were against the creation of a powerful central government, which reminded them of the one they had just overthrown. They criticized the absence of a Bill of Rights, arguing that the Constitution did not adequately protect individual liberties and states' rights. Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams were prominent Anti-Federalists who argued against ratification. They voiced varied and sometimes contradictory objections, but they all agreed that the proposed design was not the solution to the country's problems.
The Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius", were a key tool for the Federalists. These essays articulated arguments in favor of ratification and addressed Anti-Federalist concerns. They were published in newspapers nationwide and played a significant role in influencing public opinion and shaping the debates within state conventions.
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The Articles of Confederation
The ratification process of the new Constitution was chaotic and unpredictable, with intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, supported the Constitution and argued for a strong central government to unify the nation and protect against foreign threats. They believed the checks and balances in the Constitution would prevent any branch from becoming too powerful. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists opposed the concentration of power in the federal government, arguing for states' rights and the protection of individual liberties.
The ratification required approval by nine of the 13 states, and by June 1788, eight states had ratified. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on June 21, 1788, ensuring the Constitution would take effect. The addition of the Bill of Rights, influenced by the ""vote now, amend later" compromise, helped secure victory in several states, including Massachusetts and Virginia. The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and the new government, with George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President, began on March 4, 1789.
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The role of George Washington
The ratification of the US Constitution was a lengthy process that revealed deep divisions over the shape of the new government. The final document was ratified on June 21, 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth state to approve it, satisfying the requirement for ratification.
George Washington played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution. As a nationalist, he believed in the need for a strong union of the states, and he agreed to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where he was unanimously elected president. Washington rarely participated in the debates, but his commanding presence helped forge consensus among the delegates, and his support was key to achieving ratification of the newly proposed Constitution.
Washington's role as president of the convention was to guide the delegates towards a stronger national government. He ensured that delegates remained open to compromise, and his leadership prompted them to envision an executive with wide-ranging powers. While Federalists used Washington's image to promote ratification, he rarely made public statements, instead expressing his views in private letters. In these letters, he praised the Constitution, believing it would address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had barely held the nation together.
Washington also actively facilitated the ratification process in various states, including Virginia. He sent copies of the document to influential figures such as Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and former governors of Virginia, urging them to support ratification. Washington's endorsement was crucial, and Federalists often referenced his support in their arguments for ratification.
After the Constitution was ratified, Washington was elected the first president of the United States in 1789. As president, he guided the organisation of the executive branch, founded Washington, D.C., and established precedents that have influenced succeeding presidents.
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The Bill of Rights
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and challenging process, with intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, supported the Constitution and argued for a stronger central government. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists opposed the concentration of power in the federal government and criticised the absence of a Bill of Rights.
The original Constitution, America's first constitution, was known as the Articles of Confederation. It established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government. The Articles gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. This led to disputes between the states and concerns that the country was on the brink of collapse.
As a result, delegates from 13 states convened in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the Constitutional Convention, also known as the Philadelphia Convention. The initial purpose was to amend the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates ended up drafting a completely new form of government with a stronger central government. The final draft of the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates on September 17, 1787.
The ratification process required approval from nine out of the 13 states, and it sparked intense debates across the nation. The first state to ratify was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. The ratification by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, marked the ninth state, ensuring the Constitution would go into effect. However, key states like Virginia and New York initially opposed it, and their participation was crucial for the legitimacy of the new government.
The inclusion of the Bill of Rights was a critical factor in gaining support for the Constitution in these holdout states. The "vote now, amend later" compromise in Massachusetts helped secure victory and influenced other states. The Federalists agreed to recommend a Bill of Rights, and Virginia ratified on June 25, 1788, followed by New York on July 26 after a narrow debate. The first federal elections were held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789, and George Washington was elected as the first President.
On September 25, 1789, Congress adopted twelve amendments proposed by Madison, born from the Massachusetts Compromise, to be sent to the states for ratification. Ten of these amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, and became an integral part of the US Constitution, protecting the rights and liberties of American citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The ratification of the Constitution led to the election of George Washington as the first President of the United States, with John Adams as Vice President. The new government was set to begin on March 4, 1789.
The ratification of the Constitution established a stronger central government, with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The legislative branch included expanded powers of Congress, such as the power to tax, regulate commerce, and print money. The Constitution also promised a national court system.
The ratification of the Constitution shifted power from the states to the federal government, addressing issues such as disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. The process of ratification sparked intense debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, with some states concerned about the protection of individual liberties and states' rights. The inclusion of the Bill of Rights addressed these concerns.
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