The Ratification of the The Ratification of the ConstitutionConstitution

End of the ConventionEnd of the Convention

Ended Sept. 17, 1787 – on 39 men of 55 Ended Sept. 17, 1787 – on 39 men of 55 ultimately signed the Constitutionultimately signed the Constitution

Under AoC – all 13 states had to agree, Under AoC – all 13 states had to agree, but decided after 9 agreed, those agreeing but decided after 9 agreed, those agreeing states would adopt the Constitutionstates would adopt the Constitution

Convention men going over the heads of Convention men going over the heads of Congress and states.Congress and states.

The ProcessThe ProcessEach state hold special convention in order to vote on Each state hold special convention in order to vote on constitutionconstitution

State delegates elected by peopleState delegates elected by people

Ratification of Constitution required the approval of 9 Ratification of Constitution required the approval of 9 states.states.

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

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

Federalists vs. Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists

FederalistsFederalists

Supporters of the constitutionSupporters of the constitution

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

Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists

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

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

a.a. Would serve the interests of the privileged minorityWould serve the interests of the privileged minorityb.b. Would ignore rights of the majorityWould ignore rights of the majorityc.c. Doubted a single Gov. could manage the affairs of a large Doubted a single Gov. could manage the affairs of a large

countrycountryd.d. Constitution’s lack of protection for individual rightsConstitution’s lack of protection for individual rightse.e. Felt states lost a lot of powerFelt states lost a lot of power

Anti-FederalistsAnti-FederalistsNon-SupportersNon-Supporters rural areas rural areas

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

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

because had greater freedom because had greater freedom under the Articles of under the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

Leading Non-SupportersLeading Non-Supporters Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Sam Adams,

Richard Henry LeeRichard Henry Lee

FederalistsFederalistsSupporters of Constitution:Supporters of Constitution: urban centers (merchants, skilled urban centers (merchants, skilled

workers, laborers) workers, laborers) saw the benefit of a national gov. saw the benefit of a national gov. that could control tradethat could control trade

small states and those with weak small states and those with weak economieseconomies

because central gov. could protect because central gov. could protect their intereststheir interests

Leading Supporters:Leading Supporters: George WashingtonGeorge Washington James MadisonJames Madison

The Campaign in the NewspapersThe Campaign in the Newspapers

Both sides campaigned on subject of Both sides campaigned on subject of ConstitutionConstitution

Used newspapers to get their views Used newspapers to get their views acrossacross

2 Leading Documents:2 Leading Documents:

Federalist PapersFederalist Papers

Pro- Constitution WritingsPro- Constitution Writings

85 essays in NY newspapers 1787-178885 essays in NY newspapers 1787-1788

Published by signature “Publius” Published by signature “Publius”

Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John JayJohn Jay

Provided an analysis and explanation of the ConstitutionProvided an analysis and explanation of the Constitution #10 – Impossible to have a republican government over large #10 – Impossible to have a republican government over large

territoryterritory #51 - advocates that the separation of powers within the national #51 - advocates that the separation of powers within the national

government protects against a strong Central Gov.government protects against a strong Central Gov.

Letters from the Federal FarmerLetters from the Federal Farmer

Anti-Constitution Anti-Constitution

written by Richard Henry Leewritten by Richard Henry Lee

Insisted rights of individuals needed to be Insisted rights of individuals needed to be protectedprotected

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.