Jonah Patel
The passage of the US Constitution was a highly contested affair, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists engaging in fierce debates over the nature of the American republic and democracy. Federalists, who supported the Constitution, included big property owners, conservative small farmers, businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals. They favoured a strong central government, weaker state governments, and the indirect election of government officials. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists, comprising small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers, advocated for strong state governments, a weak central government, and the direct election of government officials. The Federalists ultimately prevailed in state ratification debates, and the Constitution was adopted with some compromises, including the addition of a Bill of Rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Supporters of the Constitution | Federalists |
| Opponents of the Constitution | Anti-Federalists |
| Federalist Supporters | Big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, professionals, Washington, commercial interests, creditors |
| Federalist Beliefs | Stronger union, strong national government, weaker state governments, expansive constitutional interpretations, mercantile economy, representative democracy, indirect election of government officials, longer term limits for officeholders |
| Anti-Federalist Supporters | Small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, laborers, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Melancton Smith |
| Anti-Federalist Beliefs | Strong state governments, weak central government, direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, accountability of officeholders to popular majorities, strengthening of individual liberties, states' rights, agrarianism |
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What You'll Learn
Support from Washington
George Washington, the unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia convention, played a crucial role in garnering support for the passage of the Constitution. While he did not make any public statements explicitly endorsing the Constitution, his private letters and actions revealed his strong support.
Washington's influence extended beyond his role as president of the convention. He actively participated in private meetings and discussions, offering his insights and opinions. He also voted with the Virginia delegation, where his vote was decisive in Virginia's endorsement of the Constitution. In his private correspondence, Washington expressed his desire to see the Constitution adopted, acknowledging its imperfections but praising the amendment provision that allowed for future corrections.
One of Washington's most significant contributions to the support for the Constitution was his letter of 17 September 1787. Addressed to the president of Congress, this letter, written by Gouverneur Morris but signed by Washington, accompanied the Constitution whenever it was printed. In the letter, Washington expressed his support for the Constitution, stating that it was the result of "a spirit of amity and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable." This letter carried significant weight, and Federalists used it to bolster their arguments for ratification. They emphasized that a figure like Washington, revered for his virtue, supported the Constitution, making ratification all the more essential.
Washington's support for the Constitution was not limited to words but also extended to his actions during the convention. He supervised the deliberations, called on members to speak, and helped shape the outcome of the convention. His vision for a strong central government with the power to tax, maintain an army, and regulate interstate and international commerce aligned with the goals of the Constitution's architects. Washington's influence in shaping various provisions of the Constitution and securing compromises was significant, ensuring the convention's success and the eventual passage of the Constitution.
In conclusion, Washington's support for the Constitution was instrumental in its passage. His leadership, influence, and reputation carried weight among Federalists and Antifederalists alike. While he may not have publicly advocated for the Constitution, his private endorsements and actions during the convention played a pivotal role in uniting the country behind this pivotal document.
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Commercial interests
The Constitution addressed issues related to commerce and interstate trade, which were of significant concern to commercial interests. The Commerce Clause granted Congress the power to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." This enabled the creation of a free trade zone among the states, removing trade barriers erected by state legislatures. Additionally, it empowered the president to negotiate trade agreements, opening foreign markets for American goods.
The economic interests of those in commercial areas likely influenced their support for the Constitution. The ratification process saw delegates from more commercial states, such as merchants and bankers, voting differently from those in less commercial, more agricultural states. The protection of creditors' rights and the ability to negotiate credible trade agreements were key considerations for commercial interests.
The issue of commerce was closely linked to slavery, with delegates debating the moral and economic aspects of the slave trade. The Commerce Clause also granted Congress the power to abolish the slave trade, which it did in 1808. The economic interests of slaveholders and delegates from slave-holding states influenced their support for the Constitution, as they weighed the benefits and costs of their actions.
Overall, commercial interests were a driving force behind the passage of the Constitution, as it addressed their concerns related to interstate trade, creditors' rights, and the expansion of commercial opportunities through trade agreements. The economic motivations of individuals with commercial interests likely influenced their support for a strong central government and the ratification of the Constitution.
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Men of property
The US Constitution was drafted by a convention of delegates from the states, generally wealthy, educated white men of property, who met in Philadelphia in 1787. The group most in favor of the passage of the Constitution were the Federalists, who supported Alexander Hamilton's aggressive policies and expansive constitutional interpretations. They believed in a strong central government, and included commercial interests, men of property, creditors, and those who believed the Articles of Confederation were inadequate.
The Federalists were in favor of a centralized republic, and their supporters included men of property. The term 'men of property' refers to wealthy individuals, often landowners, who had a significant amount of economic and social influence. They were typically well-educated and held a substantial amount of power due to their financial resources.
The support of these men of property was crucial for the Federalists, as they represented a significant portion of the economic elite in the country. They had a vested interest in ensuring that the new government would protect their property rights and economic interests. The Federalists, therefore, advocated for a strong central government that could maintain order and stability, which was appealing to the men of property who wanted their assets protected.
The men of property were concerned about the potential for economic populism and sought to curb its excesses. They had witnessed events like Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts, where farmers shut down courts demanding debt relief, and they wanted to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. A strong central government, as proposed by the Federalists, offered a solution to these concerns.
The men of property also saw the Federalists as a group that could ensure the protection of their assets and maintain their social and economic status. They believed that a centralized government would provide a more stable environment for their businesses and investments. Additionally, the Federalists' support for commercial interests and creditors aligned with the goals of the men of property, who often had financial stakes in various enterprises.
In summary, the men of property favored the passage of the Constitution because they believed it would lead to a stronger central government that could protect their economic interests, curb economic populism, and provide a stable environment for their businesses. Their support was crucial for the Federalists, who relied on the influence and resources of these wealthy individuals to gain approval for the Constitution.
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Creditors
The question of whether the new constitution should include a similar provision arose at the Constitutional Convention. As originally proposed, the Debts Clause provided that the Legislature of the US would have the power to fulfil the engagements entered into by Congress and to discharge the debts of the US and those incurred by the several states during the war.
After some political struggles in the early 1790s, the new federal government made good on the bond obligations inherited from the Articles of Confederation, thus removing the possibility for serious constitutional controversy. The few Supreme Court cases that discuss the Clause concern the question of whether the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was among the engagements entered into by the Articles of Confederation, which the new federal government was obliged to respect.
Supporters of the 1787 Constitution, known as Federalists, included creditors and men of property. Federalists supported Alexander Hamilton's aggressive policies and expansive constitutional interpretations. They argued that a centralized republic provided the best solution for the future and that a large republic would counterbalance various political interest groups vying for power.
Those who opposed the Constitution, known as Anti-Federalists, included small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, and labourers. Anti-Federalists favoured strong state governments, a weak central government, the direct election of government officials, short term limits for officeholders, accountability by officeholders to popular majorities, and the strengthening of individual liberties. They argued that the Constitution would consolidate all power in a national government, robbing the states of the power to make their own decisions.
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Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius". The essays were written between October 1787 and May 1788 and were published in various New York state newspapers of the time, including The Independent Journal, the New York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser. The Federalist Papers were written to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which had been drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787.
The Federalist Papers were published in response to a series of articles and public letters critical of the new Constitution, which became known as the "Anti-Federalist Papers". The Anti-Federalists, who included small farmers, landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers, argued that the Constitution would consolidate all power in a national government, taking power away from the states. They also believed that the Constitution would lead to a wealthy aristocracy running the government and that the elite would not represent ordinary citizens.
The Federalist Papers, on the other hand, made the case that a centralized republic provided the best solution for the future. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay published the essays at a rapid pace, with three to four new essays appearing in the papers in a single week. This fast pace of production overwhelmed any possible response from the Anti-Federalists.
The Federalist Papers were influential in shaping American political institutions and are still used today to interpret the intentions of those who drafted the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Supporters of the 1787 Constitution, who made the case that a centralized republic provided the best solution for the future. They included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals.
Those who opposed the 1787 Constitution, arguing that it would consolidate all power in a national government, robbing the states of the power to make their own decisions. They included small farmers and landowners, shopkeepers, and laborers.
Federalists argued that the new government supported the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism. They also believed that a large republic would counterbalance various political interest groups vying for power.
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution would concentrate power in the hands of wealthy aristocrats, who would formulate policies that benefited their own class. They also argued that the Constitution did not contain a bill of rights, which was something that many Americans felt entitled to.
