SECTION II: Ratification
By September 1787, delegates to the convention in Philadelphia had agreed on a proposed new constitution.
But for it to take effect, a minimum of nine of the original 13 states had to buy into it. The
“selling” of the new constitution to the states was no easy task.
Other sections of KTBB Constitution Minute:
Section 1: Constitutional Covention || Section 2: Ratification ||
Section 3: Creating the Bill of Rights || Section 4: The Ammendments
|| Section 5: The Courts and the Landmark Decisions ||
Section 6: The Present Day || Section 7: The Founding Fathers
Episode
33: Yes or No
As the delegates to the Constitutional Convention left Philadelphia in September 1787, having spent a sweltering summer hammering out a proposed new constitution, the real work still lay ahead. Listen to Episode 33
Episode 34: The Seeds of Opposition
After having been approved by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the proposed new constitution made its first stop - the United States Confederation Congress in New York. The reception that the document found there was not altogether warm. Listen to Episode 34
Episode 35: Transmittal to the States
The Confederation Congress in New York quickly divided into two camps regarding the proposed new constitution. Those in favor came to be called, “federalists,” and those opposed,, “antifederalists.” Though the congress was a house divided on the matter, members nevertheless voted unanimously to send the proposed constitution to the states for consideration. Listen to Episode 35
Episode 36: Holding Out in Pennsylvania
Because the proposed constitution was debated in Philadelphia's state house, the Philadelphia legislature was first to receive the document and take up debate on it. Proponents of the new constitution constituted a majority, but opponents held sufficient numbers as to deny the body a quorum. And thus, a holdout began. Listen to Episode 36
Episode 37: Streams of Power
James Wilson rose on Saturday, November 24, 1787 to speak in support of the proposed new constitution, stating that all the streams of power within it flow from a single source: the people. Listen to Episode 37
Episode 38: Pennsylvania Ratifies
After about a month of debate that was at times rancorous, Philadelphia's state legislature voted to ratify the new constitution. That rancorous debate, however, moved James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to begin a series of articles in support of the constitution that would come to be called, "The Federalist Papers." Listen to Episode 38
Episode 39: Narrow Victory in Massachusetts
The assent of nine of the 13 states was needed to ratify the new constitution. The assent of certain states was most keenly needed, one of which was Massachusetts. Listen to Episode 39
Episode 40: Up in the Air in Virginia
Virginia in 1787 was the most populous state and the wealthiest state. It was also home to the proposed new constitution's principal architect, James Madison, as well as the presumed first president under that document, George Washington. But that assumed ratification in Virginia, which was very much in doubt. Listen to Episode 40
Episode 41: Decision in Virginia
By the time ratification came to a vote in Virginia in late June 1788, New Hampshire had become the ninth, and thus decisive, state in ratifying the new Constitution. Virginia, as a result, had to make a decision. Go it alone or ratify and become a part of the union under the new Constitution. Listen to Episode 41
Episode 42: If Men Were Angels
New York was wealthy and therefore circumspect on the subject of granting increased power to a central federal government. That's why it was the last to take up the subject of ratifying the new Constitution. Listen to Episode 42
Episode 43: New York Ratifies
New York was looking as if it might not vote to ratify the new Constitution. That's when John Jay and Alexander Hamilton mounted a power play to force the state's hand. Listen to Episode 43
Episode 44: Distrust in North Carolina
Perhaps more than in any other state, North Carolinians distrusted a central federal government. Listen to Episode 44
Episode 45: Dissolving the Confederation Congress
With the Constitution ratified, the Confederation Congress had an important task set before it. Put itself out of business. Listen to Episode 45
Episode
46: The First President
After having set a date for the new Constitution to take effect, it fell to the Confederation Congress to elect the man who would serve in the office created by that document. Listen to Episode 46