Explanation:
Key Points
The fight for ratification was arduous, as many feared creating an overly powerful centralized government that may again endanger individual rights.
In a series of pamphlets supporting ratification, Federalists attacked the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and articulated their support for the new Constitution.
Anti-Federalists such as Patrick Henry attacked the Constitution, suggesting it would lead to a dangerously powerful national government, and cited the lack of a bill of rights as a dangerous omission.
Each state held a convention to debate, and then ratify or reject, the Constitution. Eventually the nine necessary states ratified it, and the Continental Congress passed a resolution on September 13, 1788, to put it into operation.
The Bill of Rights was then created under the Constitution, leading to North Carolina, and finally Rhode Island, agreeing to ratify. By May 1790, all 13 states had ratified it.
Key Terms
Federalists: Statesmen who supported ratification of the proposed Constitution between 1787 and 1789.
Federalist Papers: A series of 85 articles or essays promoting ratification of the Constitution, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Anti-Federalists: A movement that opposed the creation of a stronger federal government and that later opposed ratification of the Constitution in 1787.
ratification: A formal declaration of agreement to a treaty or other document.
The Process of Ratification
On September 17, 1787, the the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention finalized the new United States Constitution. The old Congress maintained the powers to expedite or block its ratification. Benjamin Franklin gave a speech shortly after the Constitution had been completed, urging unanimity among all states. However, the Convention had decided that only nine states—two-thirds of the total number of states—would need to ratify the Constitution in order to inaugurate the new government. More populous states, such as Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts, would be critical to this process.
On September 28, 1787, after some debate, Congress unanimously decided to submit the Constitution to the states for action. The need for only nine states was a controversial decision at the time, as the Articles of Confederation could only be amended through a unanimous vote of all states. The fight for ratification was arduous, largely because special conventions were required in lieu of hearings within the state legislatures for ratification. Many state governments were also interested in retaining their powers and were resistant to ratifying a new, stronger, centralized government.
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Two parties soon developed: Federalists in support of the Constitution and Anti-Federalists opposed. The Constitution was debated, criticized, and expounded clause-by-clause.
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote a series of essays popularly referred to as The Federalist Papers, which supported ratification and attacked the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The men acknowledged that the Constitution was not perfect, but argued it was far superior to any other proposal made. The essays explored the proposed Constitution, defended its provisions, and outlined the ways in which its check and balances would prevent abuses of power. The Federalists defended the weakest points of the Constitution (such as its current lack of a bill of individual rights) by suggesting that current protections were sufficient and that Congress could always propose amendments later.
However, Anti-Federalists such as Patrick Henry attacked the Constitution, suggesting it would lead to a dangerously powerful national government. They cited the lack of a bill of rights as a dangerous omission. Many were concerned that the strong national government was a threat to individual rights and that the President would ultimately become like a king. They also objected to the federal court system proposed in the Constitution.
