Did many people disagree on the ratification of the Constitution?
Asked by: Prof. Cassandre Spencer MD | Last update: April 23, 2025Score: 5/5 (16 votes)
Final answer: The ratification of the US Constitution in 1787 met widespread disagreement as reflected in the division between the Federalists, who supported it, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it due to fears of excessive central power and absence of individual liberties protection.
Why did so many people oppose the ratification of the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists's opposition to ratifying the Constitution was a powerful force in the origin of the Bill of Rights to protect Americans' civil liberties. The Anti-Federalists were chiefly concerned with too much power invested in the national government at the expense of states.
Why did people disagree with the Constitution?
A central issue at the Convention was whether the federal government or the states would have more power. Many delegates believed that the federal government should be able to overrule state laws, but others feared that a strong federal government would oppress their citizens.
Is many people disagreed on the ratification of the Constitution in 1787 true or false?
The Constitution encountered stiff opposition. The vote was 187 to 168 in Massachusetts, 57 to 47 in New Hampshire, 30 to 27 in New York, and 89 to 79 in Virginia. Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government.
How difficult was the fight for ratification of the Constitution?
Ratification by 9 of the 13 states enacted the new government. But at the time, only 6 of 13 states reported a pro-Constitution majority. The Federalists, who believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges, needed to convert at least three states.
Challenges to Ratification of the Constitution, by Professor John Kaminski
Why was the Constitution difficult to ratify?
The United States Constitution was written "to endure for ages to come" Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in the early 1800s. To ensure it would last, the framers made amending the document a difficult task.
Why did so many people oppose ratification of the Constitution and how was their opposition partly overcome?
Anti-Federalists objected to the power the Constitution gave the federal government and the absence of a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. The Federalists countered that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation and promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution.
Did many people disagree on the ratification of the Constitution in 1787?
Despite Washington and Franklin and so many other experienced leaders advocating for the Constitution, ratification nearly failed. This scope of opposition reflected how many citizens had decided they could discern for themselves what fulfilled their interests and their vision of the American Republic.
What states refused to ratify the Constitution?
Two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina, refused to ratify without a bill of rights. A year later in June of 1789, Madison proposed a series of amendments to be debated in the first Congress.
Was the ratification of the Constitution of 1787 easy?
On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The journey to ratification, however, was a long and arduous process.
How many founding fathers had slaves?
The Constitutional Rights Foundation asserts that 17 of the 55 delegates were enslavers and together held about 1,400 enslaved people.
Who didn't agree with the Constitution?
Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists. Many feared centralized power. Many doubted the ability of Americans to sustain a continental republic. Some Antifederalists were upset that the Constitution lacked a religious test for officeholding.
Why were slaves counted as 3/5 of a whole person?
Viewed the opposite way, by including three-fifths of slaves in the legislative apportionment (even though they had no voting rights), the Three-fifths Compromise provided additional representation in the House of Representatives of slave states compared to the free states, if representation had been considered based ...
Why were people against the Constitution?
Main beliefs. The Anti-Federalists were against the ratification of the Constitution for many reasons. The Anti-Federalists believed that the Constitution, as drafted, would lead to a loss of individual liberties, an erosion of state sovereignty, and the potential for the rise of tyranny.
What was the nickname for the Connecticut plan?
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.
Why did Virginia finally ratify the Constitution?
Virginia was a relatively less difficult ratification with 89-79 victory for Federalists. The belief that as Federal Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution was the key factor for ratification of the 10th state.
Why did people not want to ratify the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen.
What word is not found in the Constitution?
Most people, including most Americans, would be surprised to learn that the word “democracy” does not appear in the Declaration of Independence (1776) or the Constitution of the United States of America (1789).
Is God mentioned in the Constitution?
In the United States, the federal constitution does not make a reference to God as such, although it uses the formula "the year of our Lord" in Article VII.
Who was most likely to oppose the ratification of the Constitution?
Farmers, landowners, laborers, and shopkeepers who opposed the ratification of the Constitution were known as the Anti**-**Federalists. They opposed the ratification out of fear that the new national government will curb the rights and liberty of American individuals in absence of a bill of rights.
What was the biggest disagreement at the Constitutional Convention?
Final answer: The biggest disagreement at the Constitutional Convention was the issue of representation. The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation for each state. The issue was resolved with the Great Compromise.
Why did not all the delegates support ratifying the Constitution?
One of the most famous reasons for why certain delegates didn't sign was that the document lacked a legitimate Bill of Rights which would protect the rights of States and the freedom of individuals. Three main advocates of this movement were George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, and Edmund Randolph.
How many states are needed to ratify the Constitution?
It was then sent to the states for debate and ratification votes. Between December 7, 1787, and June 21, 1788, the required 9 of 13 states ratified the Constitution making it the official framework for the government of the United States of America.
What were the two main reasons for opposition to the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists
One faction opposed the Constitution because they thought stronger government threatened the sovereignty of the states. Others argued that a new centralized government would have all the characteristics of the despotism of Great Britain they had fought so hard to remove themselves from.
Why was the method of ratification of the Constitution considered unusual?
Eleven days after the delegates at the Philadelphia convention approved it, copies of the Constitution were sent to each of the states, which were to hold ratifying conventions to either accept or reject it. This approach to ratification was an unusual one.