Constitution Ratification

Ratification of the Constitution meant official approval from the people through a special convention of delegates.   The powerful state legislatures were bypassed intentionally by the convention delegates, since they could be expected to reject a proposal that diminished their powers.   At least nine states would have to ratify the Constitution before it could become effective (Article VII).   Newspapers printed the full text of the Constitution and the debate began.

A great war of words followed.   Supporters of the proposed Constitution were known as federalists, and its opponents were called anti-federalists.   Many people were surprised and shocked that an entirely new form of central government was being proposed - not the mere modification of the Articles of Confederation.   There was fear that the constitution would not protect the weak against the powerful, or the people against the government.   People were suspicious of a strong central government.   Some feared an overpowering Congress; others, a dictatorial President; others, a tyrannical judiciary.   Some people doubted that one central government could efficiently govern so large a country.   State legislatures feared a usurpation of their powers.   Debtors and paper money advocates were opposed to paying debts with sound money and establishing a sound currency.   The biggest weakness, and one continually exploited by the anti-federatlists, was the omission of a Bill of Rights as a protection against a powerful government.

The most famous support for the new Constitution came from a series of letters appearing in New York newspapers, and written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.   These articles were soon collected and published in two volumes called, The Federalist.   On the other side, several newspaper articles, including the Letters from the Federal Farmer to a Republican, written by Richard Henry Lee from Virginia, pointed out the dangers of the proposal.   Prominent Revolutionary War participants, such as Patrick Henry and George Mason of Virginia, George Clinton of New York, and Samuel Adams of Massachusetts were anti- federalists.   To them, the new government seemed too powerful.   For example, Article VI "the supremacy clause" appeared to nullify individual liberties included in the state Constitutions and declarations of rights.   However, the support given by the new nation's most famous leaders, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and a promise by James Madison to amend the Constitution promptly after adoption to include a Bill of Rights, won ratifications from 11 states.   (North Carolina and Rhode Island would ratify later.)

The Constitution of the United States of America became effective on March 4, 1789.   At that time, 10 states had ratified it.