Malcolm Rivera
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. When asked to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island instead sent the ratification question to individual towns asking them to vote. There were several reasons for Rhode Island's resistance, including the fact that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights, it gave assent to slavery, it threatened state sovereignty, and it gave too much power to the central government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Local politics | In 1786, an agrarian political uprising led by Jonathan Hazard of Charlestown placed the Country Party in power |
| Lack of Bill of Rights | The Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights |
| Slavery | The Constitution thrice gave assent to slavery |
| State sovereignty | The Constitution threatened state sovereignty |
| Ratification process | The Constitution specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification |
| Federal power | Rhode Island wanted further checks and securities limiting federal power |
| Direct federal taxes | Rhode Island feared direct federal taxes |
| Lengthy terms for members of Congress | Rhode Island had an aversion to the lengthy terms for members of Congress |
| Slave trade | The state's large Quaker population was offended by provisions on the slave trade |
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
Rhode Island was concerned about the central government's power
Rhode Island's resistance was due to its concern that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The state wanted "further checks and securities" limiting federal power before they would ratify the Constitution. Rhode Island's large Quaker population was also offended by provisions on the slave trade, while the Federalists' scorn for the state's "excess of democracy" made its residents see the Constitution as a threat.
The Constitution: Ratification vs. Signing
You may want to see also
The Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights
One of the reasons Rhode Island was initially reluctant to ratify the Constitution was that it lacked a Bill of Rights. Rhode Island was concerned that the Constitution gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The state wanted further checks and securities limiting federal power.
Rhode Island was also concerned about the threat to state sovereignty. The Constitution gave assent to slavery in several clauses, and the state's large Quaker population was offended by these provisions on the slave trade. The state also objected to the lengthy terms for members of Congress and feared direct federal taxes.
Rhode Island's resistance to ratifying the Constitution was also influenced by its political context at the time. The state had a strong tradition of democracy, which was scorned by Federalists. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, were chiefly among the mercantile classes of Providence and Newport. Rhode Island's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution between September 1787 and January 1790.
Ultimately, under strong federal and internal pressure, the Rhode Island legislature authorized a ratifying convention in January 1790 by a 1-vote margin. However, the state's initial resistance to the Constitution highlights its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its citizens, particularly regarding the balance of power between the state and federal governments.
The Tar Heel State's Constitutional Ratification
You may want to see also
The Constitution assented to slavery
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The state then refused to ratify the Constitution, instead sending the ratification question to individual towns to vote on. Eventually, due to threats of secession 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.
Rhode Island had several reasons for resisting the new Constitution. One of the main reasons was that it lacked a Bill of Rights. The Constitution also gave assent to slavery in three ways: in Article I, Section 2, the Three-fifths Clause, relating to representation in the House; in Article I, Section 9, the 20-year moratorium on any federal law banning the foreign slave trade; and in Article IV, Section 2, the Fugitive Slave Clause. The state's large Quaker population was offended by these provisions on the slave trade.
Rhode Island also feared that the Constitution threatened state sovereignty by giving too much power to the central government at the expense of the states. The state wanted further checks and securities limiting federal power. There was also concern about the lengthy terms for members of Congress and fear of direct federal taxes.
The Branches' Ratification: A United Decision
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Rhode Island held its own referendum
Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. When asked to convene a state convention to ratify the Constitution, Rhode Island instead sent the ratification question to individual towns, asking them to vote. 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.
Rhode Island had several reasons for resisting the new Constitution. Firstly, it lacked a Bill of Rights. Secondly, it gave assent to slavery in Article I, Section 2, the Three-fifths Clause, relating to representation in the House; in Article I, Section 9, the 20-year moratorium on any federal law banning the foreign slave trade; and in Article IV, Section 2, the Fugitive Slave Clause. Thirdly, it threatened state sovereignty. And fourthly, it specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification.
Rhode Island's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution between September 1787 and January 1790. The Governor of Rhode Island wrote to Congress, explaining that the people of his state still had "not separated themselves from the principles" of the old Confederation and wanted "further checks and securities" limiting federal power.
The Constitution's Journey: Virginia's Ratification Story
You may want to see also
Rhode Island feared direct federal taxes
Rhode Island feared that the Constitution would give too much power to the federal government, threatening state sovereignty and giving the federal government the power to impose direct federal taxes. Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Instead, it sent the ratification question to individual towns, asking them to vote. 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.
Rhode Island's resistance to the Constitution was also influenced by its local political context. In 1786, an agrarian political uprising led by Jonathan Hazard of Charlestown placed the Country Party in power. The Country Party campaigned on the promise to relieve debtor farmers who were in danger of losing their property due to non-payment of taxes on land imposed by the merchant-controlled legislature. Rhode Island's large Quaker population was also offended by the Constitution's provisions on the slave trade.
The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, boycotted the balloting in Rhode Island's referendum in March 1788, which rejected the proposed basic law by a vote of 2,714 to 238. Ultimately, under strong federal and internal pressure, the Rhode Island legislature authorized a ratifying convention in January 1790 by a 1-vote margin.
Rhode Island's concerns about the concentration of power in the federal government and the potential for direct federal taxes were not unfounded. The Constitution did give significant powers to the federal government, including the power to levy taxes and regulate commerce. However, it is important to note that the Constitution also included checks and balances to limit the power of the federal government and protect the rights of the states.
The Compromise Madison Needed to Ratify the Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Rhode Island did not want to ratify the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights, it gave assent to slavery, it threatened state sovereignty, and it specified the use of a convention rather than a popular referendum for ratification.
In 1786, an agrarian political uprising led by Jonathan Hazard of Charlestown placed the Country Party in power. Their campaign was based on the promise to relieve debtor farmers who were in danger of losing their property for non-payment of taxes on land.
Rhode Island sent the ratification question to individual towns and asked them to vote.
Yes, eventually, in 1790, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution.
Between 1787 and 1790, Rhode Island’s legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution.
