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Ratifying The Constitution

Ratifying The Constitution. Why Ratification?. The Philadelphia Convention* An anxious nation and public wanted to know – what happened? Secrecy of proceedings, decision to scrap the Articles, etc. Worry about consequences, awareness of colonial rivalries. Factions in each state already.

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Ratifying The Constitution

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  1. Ratifying The Constitution

  2. Why Ratification? • The Philadelphia Convention* • An anxious nation and public wanted to know – what happened? • Secrecy of proceedings, decision to scrap the Articles, etc. • Worry about consequences, awareness of colonial rivalries. • Factions in each state already. • Method Of Approval • Sent to state legislatures – nine of thirteen colonies must ratify.* • Why no popular vote? Why not vote by town meetings, etc? • Theory of a confederation’s nature – constituent parts, etc. • Biggest colonies MUST ratify…

  3. The Antifederalists • The Disunited Opposition • Variety of reasons and variety of social classes and origins. • Many were important or powerful in state legislatures. • Believed pre-existing doubts about the convention were borne out – aristocracy, centralization, etc • Anti-Federalists: a federalist term? • Remember contingency here – not morons or bad guys of history. • Three Kinds of Antifederalists • Skeptical about design of Constitution to prevent divides. • Believers that the Philadelphia structure would veer out of control. • Advocates of the Articles in order to preserve state-level prerogatives.

  4. Letters of Centinel • A National Conversation • Practice of writing under pen names – common in this generation • Founding generation’s education predisposes them to love references to Classical Greco-Roman history. • The Society of the Cincinnatti • Jefferson’s dinner table story re: Hamilton • Early opposition in essays by “Brutus, Cato, Centinel” antifed. sentiments. • Rebuttal essays launched as a more organized project – Publius, Caesar. • Who is the audience here? • The Letters of Centinel

  5. The Letters of Publius • Passage in New England • Contention in Massachusetts • Decision to “pass with recommendations” • Journals of Ezra Stiles • Defeat in North Carolina, Rhode Island* • Rhode Island “Country Party March” • Slim passage in Pennsylvania, Maryland • Frontier and farmers vs cities and merchants • New York and Virginia: Key States* • Important in terms of the magic number • Most populous two states • Influential and most slave-wealthy: VA • Wealthy and most bank-wealthy: NY • Decision to embark on a propaganda campaign

  6. The Federalist Writers • John Jay • Diplomat for the Confederation • Influential and wealthy New York lawyer • James Madison • Close friend of Jefferson, Washington • Member of Virginia aristocracy • A brief aside on “aristocracy” • Intellectual leader of Philad. Conv. • Alexander Hamilton • Merchant and “modern man” • Lawyer’s education, broad world experience • Washington’s personal friend and aide vs • Richard Henry Lee • Samuel Bryant • Elbridge Gerry

  7. The Letters of the Antifederalists

  8. The Federalist #10 – The Extended Republic • Factions

  9. The Federalist #51 – Checks and Balances • Factions

  10. The Federalist #84 – No Bill of Rights Needed • Factions

  11. The Federalist #24 – The Need For Taxes • Factions

  12. The Federalist #41 – The Powers of Government • Factions

  13. The Federalist #67 – The Powerful President • Factions

  14. The Constitution Adopted, Washington in Office

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