Download Understanding the ratification of the Constitution

AP ENDURING UNDERSTANDING: ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE
RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
For Ratification – the Federalists (favored by the wealthy, educated, creditors,
merchants, and industry leaders)
1. Neither the government under the Articles of Confederation nor the state
governments were strong enough to govern the entire nation.
2. A strong government needed 3 branches – executive, legislative, and judicial.
3. The Constitution would provide for a strong, independent government.
4. The new government would provide order, stability, and protection to a tense,
uneasy, new nation.
5. The Constitution would unite the states.
6. Separation of powers among branches and the division of powers between the
states and the central government would prevent tyranny.
7. Liberties would be guaranteed by “distinguished worthies,” men like George
Washington.
8. Leaders: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Jay, and
Alexander Hamilton; Literature: The Federalist
Against Ratification – the Anti-Federalists (side favored by small farmers, lower
class individuals, and laborers; )
1. The president would be given too much power under the Constitution.
2. The Senate would become too aristocratic.
3. The Constitution did not include a Bill of Rights to protect the rights of U.S.
citizens.
4. The central government would become too strong and there was a potential for
tyranny.
5. The Constitution would be dangerous to both the power of individuals and the
power of the states.
6. Small farmers felt threatened by the Constitution, as it might bring a tightly
controlled economic and political system blocking chances for financial gain.
7. Citizens feared the new government would open the door to taxation.
8. The Constitution would provide for a standing army to trample on people’s
freedom.
9. The Constitution had been drawn up by aristocratic elements and therefore was
antidemocratic.
10. Anti-federalists decried the Constitution’s dropping of one year terms for
members of Congress.
11. Leaders: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, George Mason;
Literature: Letters from a Federal Farmer
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution and New Hampshire was the ninth.
However, even though the document had been ratified, New York and Virginia had not
yet voted. Pro-Constitution forces in Virginia won by 10 votes, while in New York they
won by 3 votes. Rhode Island did not join the union until May 1790, a year after George
Washington had been inaugurated.