2.4

Study Notes

The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states before becoming law.
Copies of the Constitution were sent to each state for ratification conventions to decide whether to accept or reject it.
The framers avoided asking state legislatures to approve the Constitution, opting instead for ratification conventions to avoid relinquishing their power.
Delegates to the conventions were elected representatives.
The ultimate decision rested on the citizens through their elected representatives, ensuring it was ratified with the consent of the people.
The relative power of state and federal governments was a significant sticking point.

Article VII outlined the ratification process.
The framers' belief in a strong national government, necessary to maintain an army, navy, and collect taxes, contrasted with Anti-Federalists' fear of centralized power over states.
Anti-Federalists argued the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights to ensure individual liberties, a significant concern in several states.
Opponents like Patrick Henry opposed the centralized power of the presidency.
Fear of a distant federal judiciary was a concern, as state courts were seen as more accessible and easier to understand.
Concerns about the diversity of religion in the states led to anxieties about a strong central government.
The Constitution's lack of term limits for members of Congress and the president was seen by some as a potential threat to individual liberties.
Federalists emphasized the advantages of a strong national government, arguing it would be crucial for national defense, trade, and economic growth.
The Federalists' point of view was supported by pamphlets and essays that emphasized the importance of unity and a powerful central government.
The Federalist Papers argued that a strong central government was necessary, and that the division of power between the federal and state governments, and the separation of powers among branches, would prevent tyranny.

The Federalists and Anti-Federalists had differing views on the Constitution.
The Federalists (who favored the Constitution) tended to be wealthier landowners, businessmen, and military figures.
The Anti-federalists, who opposed the Constitution, prioritized the rights of states over a strong central government.
The arguments about ratification varied based on the priorities of different states and their leaders.