Jonah Patel
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. New York was divided between Anti-Federalists and Federalists. The Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division between Anti-Federalists and Federalists | Anti-Federalists advocated for states' rights, Federalists fought for a strong federal government |
| Length of ratification message | New York's message was the longest of any of the state conventions, proposing 25 items in a Bill of Rights and 31 amendments to the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Anti-Federalists vs the Federalists
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. In New York, the Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger both the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law, but to ensure ratification, agreed that a series of amendments protecting individual rights would be introduced at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
The Anti-Federalists outnumbered Federalists 46 to 19 at the state's ratification convention in Poughkeepsie in April 1788. However, the convention voted 30 to 27 in favour of the Constitution. The Federalist delegates came from the uniformly-Federalist counties of New York (Manhattan), Richmond (Staten Island), Kings (Brooklyn), and Westchester.
The few dozen delegates who crafted the Constitution agreed to meet in secret. The public had no information about the debates at the Convention in Philadelphia. Between September of 1787 and July of 1788, debates raged in the New York newspapers and in pamphlets. The Federalists reasoned that for the Constitution to have the desired effect of "creat [ing] a more perfect union," it would have to foster unity.
Hamilton's Push for Ratification: Personal Ambition or Vision?
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The role of Alexander Hamilton
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. In New York, the Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger both the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law, but to ensure ratification, they agreed that a series of amendments protecting individual rights would be introduced at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton played a key role in the ratification of the Constitution in New York. As a leading Federalist, he was a strong supporter of the proposed frame of government. He understood that the first task for supporters of the Constitution was to generate enthusiasm among the public. Hamilton was also a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he helped to craft the document.
Hamilton was a vocal advocate for the Constitution in the New York newspapers and pamphlets, engaging in debates with Anti-Federalists from the fall of 1787 through the summer of 1788. When the state's ratification convention opened in Poughkeepsie in April 1788, Anti-Federalists outnumbered Federalists 46 to 19. Hamilton's efforts, along with those of other Federalists, were crucial in ultimately securing a vote of 30 to 27 in favour of the Constitution.
Hamilton's role in the ratification process extended beyond New York. As a leading intellectual force behind the Federalist movement, he was a key figure in shaping how New Yorkers understood ratification and how they would remember the very founding of the United States. His ideas and arguments helped to foster unity among Federalists and generate support for the Constitution across the nation.
The Constitution's Journey to Ratification
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The Bill of Rights
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. In New York, the Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger both the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law, but to ensure ratification, they agreed that a series of amendments protecting individual rights would be introduced at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
The Constitution's Early Adopters: States Leading the Way
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Amendments to the Constitution
In 1787, the draft federal constitution was submitted to the states for ratification by popularly elected state conventions. In New York, the Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states. The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law, but to ensure ratification, they agreed that a series of amendments protecting individual rights would be introduced at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
Of these 12 amendments, 10 were ratified by the states and became the Bill of Rights. The amendments were designed to protect individual rights and ensure that the new national government did not overstep its bounds. The Anti-Federalists in New York were concerned that the new government would have too much power and that individual rights would be infringed upon.
The debate over ratification in New York was intense and at times turned violent. The Anti-Federalists outnumbered the Federalists at the state's ratification convention, but the convention still voted in favour of the Constitution. The Federalists worked to generate enthusiasm among the public for the proposed frame of government, but the lack of information about the debates in Philadelphia made this a challenge. The scale of the debate was immense, with newspapers and pamphlets raging with arguments for and against ratification.
The Constitution's Ratification by Delaware: A Historical Overview
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The Articles of Confederation
New York was initially divided between the Anti-Federalists, who advocated for states' rights, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, who fought for a strong federal government. New York eventually ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, by a vote of 30-27, becoming the 11th state to do so.
Influential Factors Leading to the Ratification of the Constitution
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Frequently asked questions
The question of whether to ratify the Constitution consumed New York's attention from the fall of 1787 through to the summer of 1788. The state was divided between the Anti-Federalists, led by Governor George Clinton, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton.
The Anti-Federalists argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger both the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states.
The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law. However, to ensure ratification, they agreed that a series of amendments protecting individual rights would be introduced at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
New York eventually ratified the Constitution in 1788. Of the 12 amendments proposed, 10 were ratified by the states and became the Bill of Rights.
