Jonah Patel
New York's ratification of the US Constitution was a long and complex process, with the state eventually ratifying the document on July 26, 1788. The struggle between the Anti-Federalist contingent, led by Governor George Clinton, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, meant that New York was late in ratifying the Constitution. Copies of the Constitution were widely distributed following the document's signing by the members of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, and six states had already ratified it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 26 July 1788 |
| Date of ratification convention | Mid-June 1788 |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
The ratification convention met in June 1788
The ratification convention met in mid-June 1788. The Anti-Federalists clamored for a Bill of Rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments. The ratification of the US Constitution in New York was a unique process, as it was the only state to have a late printing of the document. This was due to the struggle between the Anti-Federalist contingent, led by Governor George Clinton, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution. The convention was held in mid-June 1788, and the Constitution was ratified on 26 July 1788.
Colonies' Consensus: Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
The Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights
New York ratified the US Constitution on 26 July 1788. The Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights to protect Americans' civil liberties. They believed that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government and took away power from the states. They were concerned that the new national government would be too powerful and threaten individual liberties. The Anti-Federalists, led by Governor George Clinton, opposed the ratification of the 1787 US Constitution. They wanted a means to codify individual rights and limit the reach of government. They argued that in a state of nature, people were entirely free, and that some rights were so fundamental that to give them up would be contrary to the common good. These rights, they believed, needed to be explicitly stated in a bill of rights that would clearly define the limits of government.
The Founders' Main Objective Behind Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
The Anti-Federalists were led by Governor George Clinton
New York ratified the US Constitution on 26 July 1788. The Anti-Federalists were led by Governor George Clinton, who opposed the unamended Constitution. Clinton's stance catapulted him to the national scene as the most prominent Anti-Federalist candidate for vice president in 1788-89.
Clinton's Anti-Federalist contingent clashed with the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, during New York's ratification process. Clinton delayed calling a state convention, hoping to defeat the Constitution. When the New York ratification convention finally met in Poughkeepsie on 17 June 1788, opponents of the Constitution, led by Clinton, made up a large majority.
Clinton and other Anti-Federalists sought a conditional adoption that would allow New York to withdraw from the union if certain amendments were not added to the Constitution. This condition was eventually dropped in favour of a resolution calling for a second federal convention.
Clinton is believed to have written The Anti-Federalist Papers under the pseudonym Cato. These papers were a series of articles published to counter the Federalist campaign. Despite their efforts, the Anti-Federalists failed to prevent the adoption of the Constitution.
Federalist Papers 10: Why Ratify the Constitution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$35.95 $35.95
The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton
New York ratified the US Constitution on 26 July 1788. The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists, led by Governor George Clinton, clamoured for a Bill of Rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments.
Hamilton's Federalists were in favour of the ratification of the Constitution. The Federalists were in favour of a strong central government and supported the idea of a single, unified nation. They believed that the Constitution was necessary to create a strong, stable government and to protect the rights of citizens. They also supported the idea of a national bank and a strong financial system.
Hamilton was a strong advocate for the ratification of the Constitution and played a key role in the process. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays that argued in favour of the Constitution and helped to persuade the public to support it.
The Federalists faced opposition from the Anti-Federalists, who were concerned about the potential for a strong central government to infringe on the rights of the states and the people. The Anti-Federalists wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and ensure that the federal government did not have too much power.
Despite the opposition, the Federalists ultimately prevailed and New York ratified the Constitution. This was a significant victory for Hamilton and the Federalists, as New York was a large and influential state and its ratification helped to ensure that the Constitution would become the law of the land.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
The Constitution was ratified on 26 July 1788
Copies of the Constitution were widely distributed following the document’s signing by the members of the Constitutional Convention on 17 September 1787. Six states had already ratified it. This particular copy was printed by Claxton and Babcock in Albany, New York, between 11 February and 21 March 1788.
Constitution and Income Tax: What's the Ratification Link?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788.
The ratification process was marked by a struggle between the Anti-Federalist contingent, led by Governor George Clinton, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton.
New York became the 11th state to ratify the Constitution.
