Jonah Patel
The ratification of the Constitution was a complex process, with different states having different interests and priorities. Smaller states, like Delaware, were quick to ratify the Constitution, as they would benefit from the protection of a larger union and equal representation in the Senate. On the other hand, larger states, such as Virginia and New York, had significant power to lose and were reluctant to ratify, as they did not want to give up their autonomy or provide tax money to support the new government. The framers of the Constitution avoided asking legislators to approve a document that would require them to give up their power, instead leaving the decision to the nation's citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smaller states | More likely to vote in favour of the Constitution |
| Larger states | Less likely to vote in favour of the Constitution |
| Convention delegates | Elected by popular vote |
| Ratification conventions | Approved the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of a strong national government
The new government could also claim that it ruled with the consent of the people, as convention delegates were chosen by popular vote. This was a way of avoiding asking legislators to approve a document that would require them to give up some of their power. Instead, the framers called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions to approve the Constitution. The men attending these conventions were delegates elected by their neighbours to represent their interests. They were not being asked to give up their power but to place limits on the power of their state legislators.
The larger states, however, had significant power to lose. They did not believe they needed the federal government to defend them and disliked the prospect of having to provide tax money to support the new government. They were reluctant to ratify the Constitution, and it was feared that New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia would refuse to do so.
Nevertheless, some of the larger states, such as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, did eventually vote in favour of the new government. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution in the summer of 1788, and the last state to do so was Rhode Island.
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The power of the federal government
The supporters of the Constitution feared that the larger states would refuse to ratify it, and so they avoided asking the legislators to approve a document that would require them to give up a degree of their own power. Instead, they called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions to approve the Constitution. The men attending the ratification conventions were delegates elected by their neighbours to represent their interests. They were not being asked to give up their power; they were being asked to place limits upon the power of their state legislators.
Because the new nation was to be a republic in which power was held by the people through their elected representatives, it was considered appropriate to leave the ultimate acceptance or rejection of the Constitution to the nation’s citizens. If convention delegates, who were chosen by popular vote, approved it, then the new government could rightly claim that it ruled with the consent of the people.
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The role of state legislators
Smaller states, like Delaware, generally favoured the Constitution as it offered them equal representation in the Senate and the protection of a strong national government. On the other hand, larger states, such as Virginia and New York, had significant power to lose and were reluctant to give up their autonomy or contribute tax money to support the new government.
The framers of the Constitution recognised the importance of state legislators' role and avoided asking them to directly approve a document that would limit their power. Instead, they called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions, where delegates elected by their neighbours would represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf. This process ensured that the ultimate acceptance or rejection of the Constitution rested with the nation's citizens, in keeping with the principles of a republic.
The timeline of state ratification also provides insight into the considerations of state legislators. Smaller states that stood to benefit from the protection of a larger union, such as Delaware and Connecticut, ratified the Constitution quickly. In contrast, larger and more populous states, like Virginia and New York, took longer to ratify, indicating the careful deliberation and debate that occurred within state legislatures.
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The protection of a larger union
The ratification of the Constitution was a complex process, with many different factors influencing the vote of each state. One of the key considerations was the protection of a larger union. Smaller states, like Delaware, were in favour of the Constitution as it offered them a degree of equality with the larger states. With equal representation in the Senate, these smaller states would have a say in the national government, which would also be able to defend them better than their state militias could.
On the other hand, larger states had significant power to lose. They did not feel they needed the federal government to defend them and were reluctant to provide tax money to support the new government. As a result, supporters of the Constitution feared that larger states like New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia would refuse to ratify it.
In the end, some of these larger states, such as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, did vote in favour of the new government. However, they took longer to ratify the Constitution than smaller states, which quickly recognised the benefits of the protection offered by a larger union.
The ratification process was designed to ensure that the new government ruled with the consent of the people. Delegates to the ratification conventions were elected by their neighbours to represent their interests, and the ultimate decision to accept or reject the Constitution was left to the nation's citizens.
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The consent of the people
The ratification of the Constitution was a complex process that involved the consent of the people through their elected representatives. The framers of the Constitution avoided asking legislators to approve a document that would require them to give up their power. Instead, they called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions, where delegates elected by their neighbours would represent their interests and place limits on the power of state legislators. This process ensured that the new government could claim to rule with the consent of the people.
The ratification process also highlighted the differing interests of smaller and larger states. Smaller states, like Delaware, favoured the Constitution as it provided equal representation in the Senate and the protection of a strong national government. On the other hand, larger states, such as New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, had significant power to lose and were reluctant to provide tax money to support the new government. As a result, the supporters of the Constitution feared that these larger states would refuse to ratify it.
Connecticut was one of the first states to ratify the Constitution in early 1788, followed by other smaller states like Delaware. Larger states, such as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, eventually voted in favour of the new government, while New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify in the summer of 1788. The last state to ratify was Rhode Island, which had consistently shown reluctance to act alongside the other states.
Overall, the ratification of the Constitution was a careful process that aimed to secure the consent of the people through their elected representatives. The differing interests of smaller and larger states played a significant role in the ratification process, with smaller states generally favouring the Constitution and larger states being more hesitant to relinquish their power.
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Frequently asked questions
Smaller states, like Delaware, Connecticut and New Hampshire, voted to ratify the Constitution because they would benefit from the protection of a larger union and equal representation in the Senate.
Larger states, like Virginia and New York, took longer to ratify the Constitution because they had significant power to lose and did not believe they needed the federal government to defend them.
The framers called upon state legislatures to hold ratification conventions to approve the Constitution. The men attending these conventions were delegates elected by their neighbours to represent their interests.
