The Ratification of the Constitution

End of the Constitutional Convention

Ended Sept. 17, 1787 – only 39 men of 55 ultimately signed the ConstitutionUnder the Articles of Confederation, all 13 states had to agree, Under the Constitution, after 9 agreed, those agreeing states would adopt the ConstitutionConvention men going over the heads of Congress and states.

Ratification ProcessDefinition- official approval of a resolution by a body of people

Each state hold special convention in order to vote on constitution

State delegates elected by people

Ratification of Constitution required the approval of 9 states.

Purpose: 1) Bypass state legislatures who would oppose it since Constitution reduced power of states

2) Gave framers time to campaign for delegates in their states who would support ratification

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists

Supporters of the constitution

Insisted division of powers/system of checks and balances would protect US from the tyranny of centralized authority

FederalistsSupporters of Constitution:

urban centers (merchants, skilled workers, laborers)

saw the benefit of a national gov. that could control trade

small states and those with weak economies

because central gov. could protect their interests

Leading Supporters: George Washington James Madison

Anti-Federalists

those who opposed a strong central government, and were against a Constitution

Countered with list of possible abuses of power of a strong central Gov.:

a. Would serve the interests of the privileged minority

b. Would ignore rights of the majority

c. Doubted a single Gov. could manage the affairs of a large country

d. Constitution’s lack of protection for individual rights

e. Felt states lost a lot of power

Anti-Federalists

Non-Supporters rural areas

saw little benefit in a strong government that might add to their tax burden.

Large states and those with strong economies (ie. NY/VA)

because had greater freedom under the Articles of Confederation

Leading Non-Supporters Patrick Henry, Sam Adams,

Richard Henry Lee

The Campaign in the Newspapers

Both sides campaigned on subject of Constitution

Used newspapers to get their views across

2 Leading Documents: The Federalist Papers and Letters from the

Federal Farmer

Federalist Papers

Pro- Constitution Writings85 essays in NY newspapers 1787-1788Published by signature “Publius” Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John JayProvided an analysis and explanation of the Constitution

#10 – Important to balance power of factions, need a representative government

#51 - advocates that the separation of powers within the national government protects against a strong Central Gov.

Letters from the Federal Farmer

Anti-Constitution

written by Richard Henry Lee

Insisted rights of individuals needed to be protected

The Importance of the Bill of Rights

Reasons for Call for Bill of Rights

• Since Constitution weakened states, needed something in Central Gov. to protect Individual Rights

• Despite Federalist arguments, they yielded

Ratification

• First State to Ratify – Delaware – Dec. 1787

• New Hampshire 9th state to ratify = constitution is passed

• NY,VA, NC, and RI had not yet voted– Needed NY and VA to legitimize the

Constitution

• Heated debate in VA, but support of GW, JM brought Federalist victory in June 1788

• NY ratified on July 26, 1788

• Last state to accept Constitution = RI (5/29/90)

• Many states had waited for Federalists pledge to include Bill of Rights before ratifying

• Bill of Rights finally passed by Congress 9/25/89, ratified Dec. 15, 1791.