Eleanor Finch
Rhode Island was the last of the 13 colonies to ratify the US Constitution in 1790, more than a year after it went into effect. The state was fiercely individualistic and independent-minded, founded by a radical separatist who established freedom of religion for all. Its opposition to the Constitution was due to several reasons, including its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government, its fear of losing control over its monetary policy, and its aversion to the lengthy terms for members of Congress. The state's large Quaker population was also offended by provisions on the slave trade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opposition to national tax | Infuriated by the prospect of a national tax |
| Monetary policy | Feared losing control over its monetary policy |
| Inflation | Pursued inflationary policy |
| Printing paper money | Wanted to continue printing its own paper money |
| State sovereignty | Opposed any move that may threaten state sovereignty |
| Religious freedom | Wanted explicit protection of religious freedom |
| Slave trade | Wanted the abolition of the slave trade |
| Federalist opposition | Federalists opposed the referendum |
| Convention boycott | Boycotted the Constitutional Convention |
| Anti-federalists | Antifederalists argued that only the people could approve a new Constitution |
| Individualism | Fiercely individualistic and independent-minded |
| Secession threats | Received secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol |
Explore related products
![Constitution of the Rhode Island historical society 1871 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Opposition to national tax and federal taxes
Rhode Island's opposition to the Constitution was largely due to its fear of national tax and federal taxes. The state had incurred significant debt during the Revolutionary War and had pursued an inflationary monetary policy to pay off this debt, which involved printing large amounts of paper money. This policy had led to rampant inflation, and Rhode Island wanted to ensure that it maintained control over its monetary policy under the new Constitution. The state feared that a national currency would devalue its own currency and leave it burdened with excessive war debts, hindering its economic and social well-being.
Rhode Island's opposition to federal taxes was also influenced by its desire to protect its state sovereignty. The state had a history of opposing commonly accepted measures proposed by the Second Continental Congress and was known for casting the lone dissenting vote, earning it the nickname "Rogue Island." Rhode Island wanted to ensure that the new Constitution did not give too much power to the central government at the expense of the states, and it saw the Constitution as a threat to its "excess of democracy."
The governing Country Party in Rhode Island, which came into power in 1786, was strongly opposed to the prospect of a national tax and expanded national government. They continued the state's inflationary monetary policy, printing 100,000 pounds worth of paper currency in a single month. This action further solidified Rhode Island's reputation as a symbol of what ailed the Confederation, and opponents of state-issued paper currency called for a new Constitution that would ban it.
Rhode Island's large Quaker population also played a role in the state's opposition to federal taxes. They were appalled by the allowance of the importation of slaves within the new Constitution, even if it was for a limited time. Additionally, the state's merchants and mercantile classes in Providence and Newport feared the consequences of import taxes on their businesses. As a result, they became "zealous advocates" for the new Constitution, and their commercial interests ultimately won out when the Senate passed a bill prohibiting trade between the member states of the Union and Rhode Island.
Pennsylvania's Church Law: What Constitutes a Congregation?
You may want to see also
Fear of losing control over monetary policy
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution, more than a year after it went into effect. The state had a broad base of opposition to the Constitution, with no single group or ideology driving its stance. One of the key factors in its resistance was the fear of losing control over its monetary policy.
Rhode Island had pursued an inflationary monetary policy during and after the Revolutionary War, printing paper money to pay off its war debts. This policy had led to rampant inflation, and Rhode Island had become a symbol of the problems of state-issued currency. As a result, there were calls for a new Constitution that would ban such practices.
Rhode Island's fear of losing control over its monetary policy was consistent with its general concern about the growth of national power and the power granted to the central government at the expense of the states. The state valued its independence and wanted to maintain control over its own affairs. The prospect of a national tax and the potential devaluation of its currency under a national structure were significant concerns for Rhode Island. The state also had a large Quaker population that opposed the slave trade, which was permitted under the new Constitution, further contributing to their resistance.
Additionally, Rhode Island's economic policies had a direct impact on its social and economic well-being. The state feared that if it adopted a national currency, its war debts would become excessive and hinder its recovery and development. This concern for economic stability was a driving force in Rhode Island's opposition to the Constitution and its desire to maintain autonomy over its monetary policies.
In conclusion, Rhode Island's fear of losing control over its monetary policy was a significant factor in its initial opposition to the Constitution. The state's inflationary policies, desire for independence, and concern for economic stability all contributed to its stance. Ultimately, however, commercial interests prevailed, and Rhode Island ratified the Constitution to avoid economic isolation.
US Border: Are Constitutional Rights Upheld?
You may want to see also
Aversion to lengthy terms for members of Congress
Rhode Island was the last of the 13 colonies to ratify the US Constitution. The state had a reputation for opposing commonly accepted measures in the Second Continental Congress, earning it the nickname "Rogue Island". This independent streak was reflected in its reluctance to ratify the Constitution, which was motivated by a range of factors, including an aversion to lengthy terms for members of Congress.
Rhode Islanders were concerned about the expansion of the national government and the potential loss of control over their monetary policy. They feared direct federal taxes and wanted to maintain their state's practice of printing paper money, which had been used to pay off Revolutionary War debts. The lengthy terms of members of Congress, as outlined in the Constitution, were seen as a threat to Rhode Island's ability to maintain its monetary policies and manage its economic affairs.
The state's large Quaker population also played a role in its opposition to the Constitution. The Quakers were offended by the provisions in the Constitution that allowed the importation of slaves, even if it was for a limited time. Rhode Island's founding principles, established by Roger Williams, included freedom of religion and a liberal attitude towards different religious groups. The state's Quaker population, therefore, had a significant influence on its resistance to the Constitution, which they saw as contradicting their values.
Additionally, Rhode Island's boycott of the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 and its refusal to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 further highlighted its independent spirit and reluctance to cede power to a central government. The state's Antifederalists argued that only the people could approve a new Constitution, and they wanted to avoid the appearance of skullduggery that had occurred in Massachusetts.
The aversion to lengthy terms for members of Congress, among other factors, contributed to Rhode Island's initial opposition to the Constitution. However, commercial interests and the threat of isolation eventually led to its ratification in 1790, bringing the state into alignment with the rest of the Union.
Forcing Islamic Education: Is It Constitutional?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Protection of religious freedom
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution, more than a year after it went into effect. The state was founded by Roger Williams, a radical separatist who established freedom of religion for all, making Rhode Island the most liberal of the colonies.
The state's large Quaker population was offended by provisions on the slave trade in the Constitution. The issue best remembered today, however, is that in its original form, the Constitution did not explicitly protect religious freedom, a core Rhode Island principle.
Rhode Island Antifederalists argued that only the people could approve a new Constitution. Sensing that a large majority of Rhode Islanders opposed the Constitution, Antifederalists did not want to risk considering the Constitution in a convention where Federalists might push through ratification, as was seemingly done in Massachusetts. Federalists opposed the referendum because it violated the express wishes of the Federal Convention and Congress, and it was an inappropriate method of deciding a constitutional issue.
The state's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution between September 1787 and January 1790. Rhode Island was also the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Eventually, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution in 1790.
Voting on Tuesdays: Constitutional or Not?
You may want to see also
Opposition to centralisation of power
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution, only doing so in 1790, more than a year after it went into effect. The state had a long history of opposing commonly accepted measures, earning it the nickname "Rogue Island". This independent spirit was reflected in its opposition to centralisation of power under the Constitution.
Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams, a radical separatist who established freedom of religion for all and made the colony the most liberal of the original thirteen. This history of independence and individualism meant that Rhode Islanders were wary of ceding power to a central government. They were also concerned about the impact of a national government on their monetary policy. The state had pursued an inflationary policy during and after the Revolutionary War, printing money to pay off its debts. Rhode Islanders feared that under a national structure, their currency would be devalued, and the state would be burdened with excessive war debts, hindering its economic and social well-being.
The governing Country Party, swept into power in an electoral revolution in 1786, shared these concerns. They opposed the expansion of the national government and continued to issue paper currency, which was banned by the new Constitution. This policy of issuing state-issued paper currency, as well as the state's general opposition to federal taxes, made Rhode Island a symbol of what ailed the Confederation in the eyes of many Americans.
Rhode Island's large Quaker population also opposed the centralisation of power under the Constitution due to their moral opposition to the slave trade, which was permitted, albeit temporarily, by the new governing document. Additionally, the state's Antifederalists argued that only the people could approve a new Constitution, reflecting a broader distrust of centralised power and a preference for local control.
The state's resistance to ratifying the Constitution was so strong that it boycotted the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, the product of which was the US Constitution. Even after the Constitution went into effect, Rhode Island continued to operate outside the new governmental structure, only ratifying under threat of commercial isolation from the rest of the Union.
Who Really Wrote the Constitution?
You may want to see also
