Simone Lawson
Patrick Henry opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution, fearing a powerful central government and the absence of a Bill of Rights. Henry had fought to free Virginia from King George and did not want to surrender such powers to what might prove to be a despot. He viewed the Constitution as a threat to individual and state rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feared a strong federal government | Opposed the Constitution because of its grant of a strong executive, the president |
| Feared a powerful central government | Opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution |
| Believed in individual and state rights | Opposed the Constitution, which he viewed as a threat to individual and state rights |
| Believed in the Bill of Rights | Opposed the Constitution because there was as yet no Bill of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
Henry feared a strong federal government
Patrick Henry opposed ratifying the Constitution because he feared a strong federal government. Henry had served in the Virginia House of Delegates and as governor of Virginia, and he was concerned that the national government under the Articles of Confederation would become too powerful. He declined to attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention and actively opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution. Henry believed that a powerful central government could threaten individual and state rights, and he wanted to see a Bill of Rights in place.
Henry's opposition to a strong federal government was so strong that he returned to the House of Delegates to defeat Madison's effort to become a federal senator from Virginia. Henry made it clear that he would not serve in office outside of Virginia, but he still received a number of votes in the election.
Henry's fears of a powerful central government were not unfounded. He had fought to free Virginia from King George, and he did not want to see a similar situation arise with a strong executive branch under the president. Henry's opposition to the Constitution helped convince Federalists to support the Bill of Rights, and he is remembered as one of the major figures of the American Revolution.
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There was no Bill of Rights
Patrick Henry opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution because he feared a powerful central government and because there was no Bill of Rights. Henry had fought to free Virginia from King George and did not want to surrender such powers to what might prove to be a despot. He viewed the Constitution as a threat to individual and state rights. Henry's opposition helped convince Federalists to support the Bill of Rights.
Henry declined appointment as a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates until he began his last two terms as governor in 1784. The actions of the national government under the Articles of Confederation made him fear a strong federal government. He actively opposed the ratification of the Constitution, both fearing a powerful central government and because there was as yet no Bill of Rights.
Henry returned to the House of Delegates where he successfully defeated Madison's effort to become a federal senator from Virginia. Under the original Constitution, senators were elected by legislators, not the people. Henry made it clear that he would not serve in office outside Virginia, but he received a number of votes in the election.
Henry's opposition to the ratification of the Constitution was based on his fear of a powerful central government and his belief that the Constitution threatened individual and state rights. He wanted to see a Bill of Rights included in the Constitution to protect those rights.
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He opposed the grant of a strong executive, the president
Patrick Henry opposed ratifying the Constitution because he viewed it as a threat to individual and state rights. He had not fought to free Virginia from King George to surrender such powers to what might prove a despot. Henry feared a powerful central government and opposed the grant of a strong executive, the president. He declined appointment as a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention and actively opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution. He returned to the House of Delegates where he successfully defeated Madison's effort to become federal senator from Virginia, as under the original Constitution senators were elected by legislators, not the people. Henry made it clear that he would not serve in office outside Virginia, but he still received a number of votes in the election.
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He believed the Constitution was a threat to individual and state rights
Patrick Henry opposed ratifying the Constitution because he viewed it as a threat to individual and state rights. Henry had fought to free Virginia from King George, and he did not want to surrender such powers to what might prove to be a despot. He feared a powerful central government and wanted to weaken the power of the federal government. He believed that the Constitution gave too much power to the president, and he wanted to see a Bill of Rights. Henry's opposition helped convince Federalists to support the Bill of Rights.
Henry served in the Virginia House of Delegates and was governor of Virginia twice. He declined to be a delegate at the 1787 Constitutional Convention and made it clear that he would not serve in office outside Virginia. He actively opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution, believing it to be a threat to the rights of individuals and states. He told other opponents that he had done his duty in opposing ratification and that they should all go home. Madison wrote to Washington that Henry still hoped for amendments to weaken the power of the federal government.
Henry was a symbol of the homeschooling movement, as he was educated at home by his father. In 2000, Patrick Henry College was founded in Purcellville, Virginia, largely for those who had been homeschooled. Henry is remembered as one of the major figures of the American Revolution, despite his opposition to the Federal Constitution.
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He was a symbol of the homeschooling movement
Patrick Henry opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution, fearing a powerful central government and the absence of a Bill of Rights. Henry was a symbol of the homeschooling movement, having been educated at home by his father. In 2000, Patrick Henry College was founded in Purcellville, Virginia, largely catering to those who had been homeschooled. Henry's opposition to the Constitution was rooted in his belief that it granted too much power to the executive, the president. He had fought to free Virginia from King George and did not want to surrender such powers to a potential despot. Henry's actions influenced Federalists to support the Bill of Rights and helped defeat Madison's effort to become a federal senator from Virginia.
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Frequently asked questions
Patrick Henry opposed ratifying the Constitution because he feared a strong federal government and there was no Bill of Rights.
Patrick Henry feared that a strong federal government would threaten individual and state rights.
Yes, Patrick Henry wanted to see an end to slavery, but he had no plan beyond ending the importation of slaves.
No, Patrick Henry made it clear that he would not serve in office outside of Virginia.
