Download Writing and Ratifying the Constitution

Writing and Ratifying
the Constitution
Property and the Argument for a Large Republic
The Revolution’s Challenges to
Notions about Property
• slavery
• property
qualifications to
vote
• the debt
Failures on the Property
Front
• Robert Morris’s
plan
• Shays’s Rebellion
Mercury, the Roman God of Commerce, handing a
bag of gold to Robert Morris
Sovereign Power of the
Federal Government
Source of Power
Articles of Confederation
Constitution
No power to tax or raise
armies
Power granted on taxes and
armed forces
Individual states
Shared through federalism
between the states and the
national government
Equal representation of
Representation in Congress states in a unicameral
Congress
A bicameral legislature with
equal representation of the
states in the Senate and
proportional representation
in the House
Amendment process
Unanimous consent of the
states
Consent of three-fourths of
the states
Executive
None provided for
Office of the President
National Judiciary
None provided for
Established in the Supreme
Court
Position on the
Constitution
Federalists
Antifederalists
Favored the Constitution
Opposed the Constitution
Position on the Articles Felt the Articles had to be
of Confederation
abandoned
Felt the Articles needed only
to be amended
Sought to curb the power of the
states with a new central
government
Felt the power of the states
should be paramount
Position on the need for Initially saw no need for a bill of
a bill of rights
rights in the Constitution
Saw the absence of a bill of
rights in the proposed
Constitution as a threat to
individual liberties
Position on the power
of the states
Position on the
optimum size of the
republic
Believed only a small republic
Believed a large republic could best
formed on common interests
safeguard personal freedoms
could protect individual rights
Source of support
Commercial farmers, mer chants,
shippers, artisans, holders of the
national debt
State-centered politicians,
most backcountry farmers
“Political Creed of Every Federalist”
The New-York Journal, and Weekly Patriotic Register, December 12, 1787
I BELIEVE in the infallibility, all sufficient wisdom, and infinite goodness of the late
convention; or, in other words, I believe that some men are of so perfect a nature, that it is
absolutely impossible for them to commit error, or design villainy.
I believe that the great body of the people are incapable of judging in their nearest
concerns; and that therefore, they ought to be guided by the opinions of their superiors.
I believe that it is totally unnecessary to secure the rights of mankind in the formation of a
constitution.
I believe that aristocracy is the best form of government.
I believe that the people of America are cowards and unable to defend themselves, and
that, consequently, standing armies are absolutely necessary.
I believe that the trial by jury, and the freedom of the press ought to be exploded from
every wise government.
I believe that the new constitution will not affect the state constitutions, yet that the state
officers will oppose it, because it will abridge their power.
I believe that the new constitution will prove the bulwark of liberty--the balm of misery--the
essence of justice, and the astonishment of all mankind. In short, I believe (in the words of
that inimitable reasoner Attorney Wilson) that it is the best form of government which has
ever been offered to the world.
I believe, that to speak, write, read, think, or hear any thing against the proposed
government, is damnable heresy, execrable rebellion, and high treason agains the sovereign
majesty of the convention--And lastly, I believe that every person, who differs from me in
belief, is an infernal villain. AMEN.
The Dispute over
Representation
• no popular election of senators, large
legislative districts in the house
• representational units by head count
• virtual versus actual representation
Charles-Louis de Secondat,
baron de La Brède et de
Montesquieu
• separation of powers
• republics small
Federalist 10
1. According to Madison, what is a faction?
2. Why is a majority faction dangerous?
3. What did he suggest to eliminate the causes of
factions?
4. How does republic a cure the effects of factions?
5. Why is a large republic better than a small one?
6. Was Madison right?
Edward Savage, The Washington
Family (1796)