Omar Bennett
The ratification of the US Constitution was a long and contentious process, with supporters of the document, known as Federalists, battling against Anti-Federalists, who opposed its adoption. The Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed that a strong central government with checks and balances would prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, feared that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government at the expense of states' rights and individual liberties. The debate played out in essays, pamphlets, and public meetings across the country, with both sides presenting their arguments passionately. Ultimately, the Federalists prevailed, and the Constitution was ratified by nine states, ensuring its implementation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of signatures | 38 or 39 out of 41 or 55 delegates |
| Number of states required for ratification | 9 out of 13 |
| States that ratified | Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York |
| Leaders of the Federalists | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, George Washington |
| Publications in support of ratification | The Federalist Papers |
| Number of essays in The Federalist Papers | 85 |
| Author of most essays in The Federalist Papers | Alexander Hamilton |
| Outcome of ratification | Formation of a new federal government with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial |
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What You'll Learn
Supporters of ratification were known as Federalists
Supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution were known as Federalists. The name was adopted by members of one of the nation's first two political parties. Led by influential figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the Federalists argued for a strong, centralized government capable of unifying the nation, protecting against foreign threats, and managing domestic affairs. They believed that the checks and balances built into the Constitution would prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
The Federalist ranks included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals. They advocated for weaker state governments, the indirect election of government officials, longer term limits for officeholders, and representative democracy.
To promote their cause, the Federalists authored a series of 85 essays known as the "Federalist Papers," published in New York newspapers between 1787 and 1788. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison, writing under the pseudonym "Publius", outlined their vision for a strong union and addressed Anti-Federalist concerns. They emphasized the importance of a centralized government with checks and balances to divide power and preserve the rights of the people and states.
The ratification debate was intense, with Anti-Federalists raising concerns about the concentration of power in the federal government and the absence of a Bill of Rights. The Federalists promised to support amendments protecting individual liberties and addressing Anti-Federalist concerns once the Constitution was ratified. This compromise played a crucial role in securing the adoption of the Constitution.
The Federalists' efforts were ultimately successful, with nine states ratifying the Constitution, ensuring its legitimacy. The Federalist Papers remain a valuable source for understanding the intentions and principles behind key provisions within the Constitution.
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Federalists included big property owners and conservative small farmers
The ratification of the US Constitution was supported by Federalists, who believed that a strong central government was necessary for the nation to thrive. Led by figures such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the Federalists argued that the Constitution provided a necessary framework for a unified nation. This framework included a strong central government capable of managing domestic affairs, protecting against foreign threats, and preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Among the supporters of ratification were big property owners, who were concerned about the stability of the young nation. They believed that the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement powers, were insufficient for governing the country effectively. Big property owners, including those in the south like George Washington, feared that the lack of a strong central government would lead to chaos and potentially benefit the aristocracy or monarchy.
Washington, despite his reservations about political parties, actively supported the ratification of the Constitution. He understood the importance of states' rights but argued that individuals in a society must give up some liberties to ensure stability and effective governance. Washington played a crucial role in facilitating the ratification process across various states, including Virginia, where he corresponded with influential figures to gain their support.
Conservative small farmers also found themselves among the supporters of ratification. They recognised the need for a stronger central government to address issues related to taxation, commerce, and territorial disputes. The Constitution promised a government with the power to tax and regulate commerce, addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The ratification debates emphasised the importance of compromise, civic engagement, and the protection of individual rights, resonating with conservative small farmers who sought stability and effective representation.
The process of ratification was not without opposition, and Federalists worked to address concerns raised by Anti-Federalists. One of the key compromises was the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, which guaranteed fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against government overreach. This concession was crucial in swaying skeptics in several states, including Massachusetts, and ultimately played a significant role in the Constitution's ratification.
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Federalists wanted a strong central government
Federalists, or supporters of the ratification of the US Constitution, wanted a strong central government. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to safeguard the liberty and independence that the American Revolution had created. Federalists also believed that the problems of the 1780s stemmed from the weaknesses of the central government created by the Articles of Confederation.
The Federalist Party, which included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals, formed in 1791 to advocate for a strong central government. They favored weaker state governments, the indirect election of government officials, longer term limits for officeholders, and representative democracy.
To promote their cause, Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote a series of 85 essays under the pseudonym "Publius." These essays, known as the Federalist Papers, stressed the need for an adequate central government and argued that a republican form of government could be adapted to the large expanse of territory and diverse interests in the United States. The Federalist Papers were published in various New York newspapers and were immediately recognized as a powerful defense of the new Constitution.
In addition to their support for a strong central government, Federalists also advocated for aggressive fiscal policies, including funding the old Revolutionary War debt, creating a central bank, and maintaining a tariff system. They also supported a more mercantile economy and an expansive interpretation of congressional powers under the Constitution through the elastic clause.
Federalists played a crucial role in the ratification of the Constitution, successfully articulating their position in favor of its adoption. They were well-organized, had strong support in the press, and ultimately prevailed in state ratification debates.
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Federalists published 85 essays in support of ratification
The Federalists, supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, published a series of 85 articles and essays, commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers. These were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius". The first 77 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 written and published to urge New Yorkers to ratify the proposed United States Constitution, which was drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The essays explain particular provisions of the Constitution in detail, advocating for a strong union and the adoption of the Constitution. They also cover topics such as "The utility of the UNION to your political prosperity", "The insufficiency of the present Confederation to preserve that Union", and "The necessity of a government at least equally energetic with the one proposed to the attainment of this object".
The Federalist Papers played a significant role in the ratification debates, with Federalists battling Anti-Federalists over the future of the nation. The Anti-Federalists opposed the creation of a stronger national government and sought less drastic changes to the Articles of Confederation. They also demanded amendments to protect individual liberties and curb the powers of the central government.
The Federalists, on the other hand, favoured weaker state governments, a strong centralized government, and the indirect election of government officials. They were better organized, had strong support in the press, and ultimately prevailed in the state ratification debates. The Federalist Papers remain a vital source for understanding the key provisions and underlying principles of the Constitution.
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Federalists promised to add amendments to protect individual liberties
The Federalists were supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and were also members of one of the nation's first two political parties. Alexander Hamilton, an influential Federalist, wrote many of the essays in The Federalist Papers, published in 1788, advocating for the ratification of the Constitution. James Madison, another author of the Federalist Papers, was also a prominent Federalist.
The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution and the formation of a strong union. They favoured a strong central government, weaker state governments, the indirect election of government officials, longer term limits for officeholders, and representative democracy. They believed that the people and states retained any powers not explicitly given to the federal government.
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing that it would give the federal government too much power and threaten individual liberties. They sought to preserve the power of the states and demanded a bill of rights to protect civil liberties.
During the ratification debates, the Federalists promised to consider adding amendments to protect individual liberties, specifically in the form of a Bill of Rights, to address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists. They wanted to avoid the possibility of a second convention that might undo the work of the first. James Madison, a key Federalist, played a crucial role in introducing proposals that were incorporated into 12 amendments by Congress in 1789. Ten of these amendments were ratified by the states and became known as the Bill of Rights in 1791.
The first of these amendments guaranteed freedoms such as freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceable assembly, and the right to petition the government. These amendments were initially intended to limit the powers of the national government but were later recognised as also limiting the states through the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalists were supporters of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and included big property owners in the North, conservative small farmers and businessmen, wealthy merchants, clergymen, judges, lawyers, and professionals. They favoured a strong central government, weaker state governments, and representative democracy. Notable Federalists included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, who authored the "Federalist Papers" to promote ratification.
The Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution, arguing that it would give too much power to the central government at the expense of states' rights and individual liberties. They sought less drastic changes to the Articles of Confederation and demanded amendments to protect individual freedoms. Notable Anti-Federalists included Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams.
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, that appeared in New York newspapers between October 1787 and August 1788. The essays urged delegates to ratify the Constitution, arguing that it provided a necessary framework for a strong, effective central government with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Smaller states, like Delaware, generally favoured the Constitution as it offered them equal representation in the Senate and the protection of a strong federal government with a standing army. Delaware was the first state to ratify unanimously on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey. By June 1788, eight states had ratified, and New Hampshire's decision to ratify on June 21, 1788, made it the ninth state, ensuring the Constitution would take effect. Virginia, a key state, ratified on June 25, 1788, after intense debate, becoming the tenth state.
