Omar Bennett
The US Constitution was ratified in 1787, with Delaware the first state to do so. Two factions emerged: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton, who called for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Federalists |
| Supported | Ratification of the US Constitution |
| Leaders | Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay |
| Produced | The Federalist Papers |
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What You'll Learn
The Federalists
Alexander Hamilton of New York led the call for a constitutional convention to re-evaluate the nation's governing document, which was at the time the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation were tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries. However, it became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralised government.
Hamilton, along with James Madison and John Jay, produced the 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers, which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Timeline
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The Anti-Federalists
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Pennsylvania was the focus of national attention due to its size, wealth, and influence. It was also the first state to call a ratifying convention.
Some states opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect – what became the Bill of Rights – would be immediately proposed.
The Evolution of Constitutional Ratification
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The Federalist Papers
The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it, debated the proposal clause by clause. The Federalist Papers were published in New York, a hotbed of anti-Federalism at the time.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788 stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
Enlightenment's Influence on US Constitution Ratification
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The Philadelphia Convention
The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, opposed the Constitution. They argued that it did not provide sufficient protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. They also feared that a centralised government would be insensitive to local interests and that it would limit their power. Despite this opposition, the Constitution was eventually ratified, with Delaware becoming the first state to do so on December 7, 1787.
The Constitution's Ratification: Who Wanted It and Why?
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The Articles of Confederation
Alexander Hamilton led the call for a constitutional convention to reevaluate the nation's governing document. The Confederation Congress endorsed his initiative, and representatives from all 13 states were invited to convene in Philadelphia on 25 May 1787. The initial purpose of the Convention was for the delegates to amend the Articles of Confederation. However, the ultimate outcome was the proposal and creation of a completely new form of government.
Two factions soon emerged: the Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. Hamilton and James Madison led the lobbying efforts for votes in favour of ratifying the Constitution. With assistance from John Jay, they produced the 85 essays known as "The Federalist Papers", which explained and defended how the proposed new government would function. The essays were published in newspapers nationwide.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on 7 December 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states voiced opposition to the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments to that effect—what became the Bill of Rights—would be immediately proposed.
The Constitution's Journey to Ratification
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Frequently asked questions
The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, wanted it to be ratified.
The Federalists were a faction that emerged in support of the Constitution. They included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, who published a series of commentaries, now known as The Federalist Papers, in support of ratification.
The Federalist Papers were 85 essays explaining and defending how the proposed new government would function. They were published in newspapers nationwide.
