Notes on the Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

• The ratification process reflects crucial political negotiations and compromises made at the Constitutional Convention.

Key Players

• Richard Hassellat representing Delaware.
• Gouverneur Morris's strong opposition to compromising on personal beliefs, illustrated by the quote: "I would sooner chop off my hand than put it to the Constitution."

Essential Knowledge

• Topic 1.5: Understanding the impact of negotiations at the Constitutional Convention on the constitutional system's development.

Compromise as a Central Theme

• The Constitution was characterized by a collection of compromises:
  • It was metaphorically described as a "bundle of compromises stitched together by norms."

Quotes on the Constitution

• Dr. Joanne Freeman (Yale):
  • Emphasizes the Constitution's evolving nature, stating, "Our Constitution – given all it does – is barebones; it left a lot to be determined in action."
• Professor Robert George (Princeton):
  • Warns against treating the Constitution merely as "words on a page" and promotes active engagement with its principles.

Constitution and Slavery

• The Constitution's relationship with slavery is complex:
  • It is suggested that the Constitution not only accepted but also perpetuated the existence of slavery, described as America’s "original sin."
  • Major compromises made during the ratification process were influenced heavily by these dynamics of slavery.

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

• Introduced by Connecticut delegates, notably Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth:
  • It merged the Virginia and New Jersey plans, resulting in a bicameral legislature (two houses of Congress).
  • The compromise passed with a narrow margin of just one vote.

Three-Fifths Compromise

• Article I, Section 2 establishes that enslaved individuals would be counted as three-fifths of a person for congressional representation:
  • States with enslaved citizens gained increased representation in the House of Representatives and Electoral College, which gave them a political advantage.
  • This was formalized during the census of 1790.

Electoral College

• The Electoral College was established due to the Framers' distrust of direct democracy:
  • It provided a method for electing the Executive while addressing concerns about the power of the states.
  • The Framers anticipated that the Electoral College might result in inconclusive outcomes, thereby necessitating the House of Representatives to select the President.

Importation of Slaves

• Article I, Section 9 delayed Congress from banning the slave trade until 1808:
  • This compromise aimed to assuage Southern concerns about losing the slave trade.
  • It also included provisions for imposing a tax (not exceeding ten dollars per person) on imported slaves, highlighting the financial aspects connected to slavery in the founding documents.