Omar Bennett
Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution, on December 12, 1787. The state convention voted 46-23 in favour of ratification, but the anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument against the new Constitution. This argument was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution | 12 December 1787 |
| Vote | 46-23 |
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What You'll Learn
Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution
The convention was called in what we know today as Independence Hall on November 21, 1787. Some anti-Federalists had to be forced to attend a session to approve the convention. Going into the state ratification convention, the pro-Constitution forces had a two-thirds majority at the meeting. The Pennsylvania convention ratified the document by a vote of 46-23. The anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument that was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution. The document was called the Pennsylvania minority report. It said:
> We entered on the examination of the proposed system of government, and found it to be such as we could not adopt, without, as we conceived, surrendering up your dearest rights.
The Pennsylvania minority report also spelled out many concepts that would be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states, and set the ground rules for ratification debates in the other states.
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The vote was 46-23
On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania ratified the US Constitution by a vote of 46-23. Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution, after Delaware.
The vote was close, and the ratification convention was marked by a pitched debate between supporters of the Constitution and Anti-Federalists, who feared centralized power and insisted on a Bill of Rights to accompany the Constitution. The Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument against the Constitution, which was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution.
The Pennsylvania minority report argued that the proposed system of government could not be adopted without "surrendering up your dearest rights". It also spelled out many concepts that would later be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states.
Despite the close vote, Pennsylvania's ratification message was short and to the point: "Be it known unto all men, that we, the delegates of the people of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Convention assembled, have assented to and ratified, and by these presents do, in the name and by the authority of the same people, and for ourselves, assent to and ratify the foregoing Constitution for the United States of America."
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The convention was called in what we now call Independence Hall
> In the Name of the People of Pennsylvania. Be it known unto all men, that we, the delegates of the people of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Convention assembled, have assented to and ratified, and by these presents do, in the name and by the authority of the same people, and for ourselves, assent to and ratify the foregoing Constitution for the United States of America.
The vote was 46-23 in favour of ratification. However, the anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument that was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution. This document was called the Pennsylvania minority report, and it said that:
> We entered on the examination of the proposed system of government, and found it to be such as we could not adopt, without, as we conceived, surrendering up your dearest rights.
The Pennsylvania minority report also spelled out many concepts that would be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states, and set the ground rules for ratification debates in the other states.
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The Anti-Federalists made a powerful argument against the Constitution
Pennsylvania ratified the US Constitution on 12 December 1787. It was the second state to do so, after Delaware.
> 'We entered on the examination of the proposed system of government, and found it to be such as we could not adopt, without, as we conceived, surrendering up your dearest rights.'
The Anti-Federalists also insisted on a Bill of Rights to accompany the Constitution. The Pennsylvania minority report also spelled out many concepts that would be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states.
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Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution, on December 12, 1787. The Pennsylvania convention ratified the document by a vote of 46-23. The state had a diverse population, and no shortage of critics who found the Constitution lacking. The pro-Constitution forces had a two-thirds majority at the meeting.
The anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument that was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution. The document was called the Pennsylvania minority report. It said:
> We entered on the examination of the proposed system of government, and found it to be such as we could not adopt, without, as we conceived, surrendering up your dearest rights.
The Pennsylvania minority report also spelled out many concepts that would be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states. It set the ground rules for ratification debates in the other states.
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Frequently asked questions
Pennsylvania ratified the Constitution on December 12, 1787.
The vote count was 46-23.
The pro-Constitution forces were led by Thomas McKean.
Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution.
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