Simone Lawson
Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution was crucial because of its size, wealth, influence, and because it was the first state to call a ratifying convention. Pennsylvania played a vital and historic role in the American Revolution and the ultimately successful quest for independence from the British Empire. It hosted the First and Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, which formed the Continental Army and elected George Washington as its commander in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War, and unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence the following year. In 1787, following the establishment of the nation's independence, the Constitution of the United States was written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was ratified in Philadelphia the following year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Wealth | Wealthy |
| Influence | Influential |
| First state to call a ratifying convention | First |
| Pro-Constitution forces majority | Two-thirds majority |
| Date of ratification | 12 December 1787 |
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What You'll Learn
Pennsylvania's size, wealth and influence
Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution was not a given, however. The state was remarkably diverse, and only when pacifists were able to exercise the franchise in peacetime was it conceivable that the more conservative U.S. Constitution might pass. Pennsylvania's convention ratified the document by a vote of 46-23, but the anti-Federalists made a powerful argument that was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution.
The Constitution: Adopted, Then Ratified
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The state's diverse population
Pennsylvania was a remarkably diverse state, and its size, wealth, and influence meant that it was the focus of national attention. Its ratification of the Constitution was crucial because it was the first state to call a ratifying convention. Pennsylvania's diverse population included Quakers and other pacifists, as well as an anti-British and anti-Indian Scots-Irish faction that had seized power for the first time. The state's diverse population also included Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument against the Constitution, which was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution. This argument, known as the Pennsylvania minority report, spelled out many concepts that would be included in the Bill of Rights and set the ground rules for ratification debates in the other states.
The Constitution Ratification: A Historical Newspaper Perspective
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The role of James Wilson
Pennsylvania was the first state to call a ratifying convention and was the focus of national attention because of its size, wealth and influence. James Wilson played a crucial role in convincing Pennsylvanians to ratify the Constitution. Wilson's genius in describing the nature of layered sovereignty in a federal republic, using the solar system as an analogy, was invaluable.
Federalists' Strategy to Persuade Antifederalists: Uniting the States
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The anti-Federalists' argument
Pennsylvania's ratification of the Constitution was crucial because of its size, wealth, influence, and because it was the first state to call a ratifying convention. The anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, argued that the proposed system of government would require the surrender of their dearest rights. The anti-Federalists' argument was so powerful that it was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution.
The Pennsylvania minority report outlined several concepts that would later be included in the Bill of Rights approved by the First Congress and ratified by the states. This report demonstrated the anti-Federalists' commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of the people of Pennsylvania.
The US Constitution: Citizenship Granted and the Journey Ahead
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The Pennsylvania minority report
Pennsylvania was the first state to call a ratifying convention, and it was also the first state to ratify the Constitution. This was crucial because of its size, wealth, and influence. Pennsylvania was a remarkably diverse state, and it was the first time that a fervently anti-British and anti-Indian Scots-Irish faction had seized power.
The pro-Constitution forces had a two-thirds majority at the meeting, and the Constitution was ratified by a vote of 46-23. James Wilson's analogy of the solar system to describe the nature of layered sovereignty in a federal republic was invaluable in convincing Pennsylvanians to ratify.
The ratification of the Constitution in Pennsylvania was a significant step towards the establishment of the United States as an independent nation. The Constitution, written in Philadelphia in 1787, is the world's oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution. Since its ratification in 1789, there have been hundreds of thousands of bills introduced to amend the document, but only 27 amendments have been ratified.
The 1787 Constitution's Voting Requirements: A Historical Perspective
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Frequently asked questions
Pennsylvania was the first state to call a ratifying convention, and because of its size, wealth, and influence, it was the focus of national attention.
The pro-Constitution forces had a two-thirds majority, and the Pennsylvania convention ratified the document by a vote of 46-23.
The anti-Federalists, led by Thomas McKean, made a powerful argument that was sent to the other states as part of a wide effort to reject the new Constitution. The document, called the Pennsylvania minority report, said that the proposed system of government would require them to "surrender up your dearest rights".
