Jonah Patel
The United States Constitution, which comprises a preamble and seven articles, has been supported and opposed by several factions since its proposal. The Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton, supported the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists opposed it. Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany and his economic policies helped gain allies and drive the Constitution through the convention. Additionally, The Federalist Papers, a series of commentaries published by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, also supported ratification. The Constitution faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who criticized the lack of a bill of rights, discrimination against southern states, direct taxation, and the loss of state sovereignty. Despite the opposition, the Constitution was eventually ratified, and the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were added in 1791.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support | Washington, commercial interests, men of property, creditors |
| Opposition | Anti-Federalists |
| Spokesmen | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison |
| Publications | The Federalist Papers |
| Ratification | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, Virginia, New York, Massachusetts |
| Amendments | 12 proposed, 10 ratified |
| Bill of Rights | Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and right to petition |
| Freedom to exercise religious beliefs | |
| No official national church | |
| Right to a speedy and public trial | |
| No excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishments | |
| No corruption of blood or forfeiture on convicted traitor's children or heirs | |
| No state discrimination against non-residents | |
| Extradition between states | |
| Freedom of movement and travel between states |
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What You'll Learn
- Alexander Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany
- Hamilton's economic policies, including the federal assumption of state debts
- The Federalist Papers, a series of commentaries published by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
- The Bill of Rights, consisting of 10 amendments that were added to the Constitution in 1791
- The Preamble, which sets the stage for the Constitution by outlining the intentions of its framers
Alexander Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany
Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in the ratification of the US Constitution, particularly at the New York Ratifying Convention in Albany in June 1788. At this convention, forty-seven Anti-Federalists outnumbered nineteen Federalists, including Hamilton. The situation was critical, as without New York's ratification, the new government would likely split into separate confederacies.
Hamilton, a delegate to the convention, presented a compelling case for ratification over the course of a month. His performance was described as "impeccably focused logic". He introduced his own plan, comparing it to the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, which some viewed as monarchist. Hamilton's speeches and arguments were so effective that they drove the Constitution through the New York convention, despite the initial opposition.
The New York Ratifying Convention was not Hamilton's first involvement in the process. He had previously collaborated with Madison and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius" to write 85 essays in support of the Constitution in New York newspapers. These essays were later collected and printed in a book. Additionally, Hamilton's speech on June 18, 1787, was noted by Dr. William Samuel Johnson in his diary, indicating the significance of Hamilton's contributions.
Hamilton's performance at the New York Ratifying Convention in Albany was a crucial turning point in the adoption of the US Constitution. His logical arguments and persuasive abilities played a significant role in garnering support for the Constitution and ensuring its ratification by the state of New York. Hamilton's efforts at this convention left a lasting impact on the formation of the new government.
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Hamilton's economic policies, including the federal assumption of state debts
Alexander Hamilton, the first US Secretary of the Treasury, was tasked with directing federal economic policy by President George Washington. Hamilton's economic policies aimed to address the country's dismal economic situation in the 1780s, which included runaway inflation and substantial state debts from the Revolutionary War, estimated at a total of $25 million.
Hamilton's financial system was centred around the federal "assumption" of state debts. This meant that the federal government would assume responsibility for the states' unpaid debts. Hamilton argued that this policy would establish sound public credit, strengthen the union, and unleash private capital. Additionally, he believed that it would create a fiscally strong federal government, with the power to use national taxes to extinguish the debt.
Hamilton's plan faced opposition, particularly from Southerners, including Virginian James Madison. They argued that the system of assumption was anti-democratic and would result in the power of a corrupt elite. Some Southerners, like Madison, had already paid their state debts and felt that federal assumption would force them to pay for the debts of other states. Despite this opposition, Hamilton's assumption bill passed in 1790 as part of the Compromise of 1790, which also included the location of the permanent national capital in the South.
Another key aspect of Hamilton's economic policies was his proposal for a Bank of the United States or the First Bank of the United States. This national financial institution was intended to standardize American currency and manage the national debt. Hamilton believed that the bank was important for the country's prosperity and would link federal power with economic vitality. However, this proposal also faced opposition, with Thomas Jefferson and other Republicans arguing that it was unconstitutional. Nevertheless, Hamilton's plan for the bank won congressional approval.
Hamilton's innovative financial policies were considered accomplished acts of eighteenth-century statesmanship. They not only helped overcome the fiscal problems of the time but also benefited an economic elite with which he shared close ties. Hamilton's overall strategy contributed to the creation of a stronger central government under the new Constitution.
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The Federalist Papers, a series of commentaries published by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
The Federalist Papers were a series of eighty-five articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius". They were written between October 1787 and August 1788, and were intended to build public and political support for the newly constructed Constitution, which was sent to the States for ratification in September 1787.
The first seventy-seven of these essays were published serially in the Independent Journal, the New York Packet, and The Daily Advertiser between October 1787 and April 1788. The last eight papers (Nos. 78–85) were republished in the New York newspapers between June 14 and August 16, 1788.
The Federalist Papers were not merely a treatise, but an ongoing attempt to make sense of a new form of government. They represented one facet in an ongoing debate about the nature of the newly forming government in America and how it would govern.
In Federalist No. 10, Madison discusses the means of preventing rule by majority faction and advocates for a large, commercial republic. This is complemented by Federalist No. 14, in which Madison takes the measure of the United States, declares it appropriate for an extended republic, and concludes with a memorable defence of the constitutional and political creativity of the Federal Convention.
In Federalist No. 51, Madison distills arguments for checks and balances in an essay often quoted for its justification of government as "the greatest of all reflections on human nature."
In Federalist No. 84, Hamilton argues against the inclusion of a bill of rights, stating: "Here, in strictness, the people surrender nothing; and as they retain everything they have no need of particular reservations."
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The Bill of Rights, consisting of 10 amendments that were added to the Constitution in 1791
The Bill of Rights, consisting of 10 amendments, was added to the US Constitution in 1791. The amendments defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents, known as Anti-Federalists, repeatedly charged that the document, as drafted, would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions, in their formal ratification of the Constitution, asked for such amendments, while others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the state legislatures to meet the arguments most frequently advanced against the Constitution. Of these, 10 amendments were approved (or ratified) by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constituting the Bill of Rights. Virginia’s legislature was the final state to ratify the amendments, approving them on December 15, 1791.
The first ten amendments introduced, or the Bill of Rights, included the following:
- The First Amendment (1791) prohibits Congress from obstructing the exercise of certain individual freedoms, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition.
- The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms.
- The Third Amendment concerns the quartering of soldiers.
- The Fourth Amendment outlines search and arrest procedures.
- The Fifth Amendment guarantees rights in criminal cases.
- The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial.
- The Seventh Amendment guarantees rights in civil cases.
- The Eighth Amendment outlines bail, fines, and punishment.
- The Ninth Amendment guarantees rights retained by the people.
- The Tenth Amendment guarantees states' rights.
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The Preamble, which sets the stage for the Constitution by outlining the intentions of its framers
The Preamble to the US Constitution is an introductory statement that sets out the intentions of its framers and the purpose of the document. It is not a law itself, but it introduces the highest law of the land. The Preamble was drafted in six weeks during the hot Philadelphia summer of 1787. It outlines five objectives: establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defence, promoting general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty for the American people and their posterity.
The Preamble reflects the Federalist vision for the nation, which was supported by influential figures such as Alexander Hamilton, who played a key role in ensuring the Constitution's ratification. Hamilton, serving as Treasury Secretary under President George Washington, aimed to build an economic system that would enable the new nation to thrive. He understood the importance of a robust economy for America's development into an industrial power. Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany was particularly notable, where he faced opposition from Anti-Federalists.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, had different views and concerns. They attacked the proposed Constitution on various fronts, including the lack of a bill of rights, perceived discrimination against southern states in navigation legislation, direct taxation, and the loss of state sovereignty. Some Anti-Federalists even resorted to predicting horrors under the new Constitution, such as the election of the Pope as president. However, the Federalist leadership and determination proved stronger, and the opposition in most states was disorganized.
The support for the Constitution also came from Washington, commercial interests, men of property, and creditors. The belief that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate further bolstered the case for the Constitution. The intentions outlined in the Preamble, along with the efforts of Hamilton and other Federalists, set the stage for the Constitution to become the foundational document of the United States of America.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalist Papers were a series of commentaries published by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Jay, in support of the Constitution's ratification.
The purpose of the Federalist Papers was to gain allies for the Constitution and counter the arguments of the Anti-Federalists.
The Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution lacked a bill of rights, discriminated against southern states in navigation legislation, allowed for direct taxation, and led to a loss of state sovereignty. They also made fanciful predictions of horrors under the new Constitution, such as the pope being elected president.
Hamilton proposed that the federal government assume the debts of the states, establish a steady revenue stream by taxing imported goods, and create a federal bank. He also played a crucial role in getting the capital moved to a location on the Potomac River.
The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was added in 1791. It includes guarantees of freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition. It also ensures the right to a speedy and public trial, protection from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments, and prevents the establishment of an official national church.
