The Ratification of the United States Bill of Rights
1791 · Richmond, United States
The United States Bill of Rights becomes law when ratified by the Virginia General Assembly.
Virginia’s Ratification of the United States Constitution
On June 25, 1788, Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the United States Constitution, marking a pivotal moment in American history. The ratification came after intense debates reflecting the broader national discourse on the balance of power between federal and state governments.
Background
The Constitutional Convention had met in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the United States Constitution, which proposed a stronger federal government than that provided by the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution required ratification by at least nine of the thirteen states to come into effect.
Debates in Virginia
Virginia’s ratification process was particularly significant due to the state’s influence and size. The debate over ratification took place during a convention in Richmond, beginning on June 2, 1788. Key figures participated in the debates, including proponents of the Constitution like James Madison, John Marshall, and Edmund Randolph, and prominent Anti-Federalists such as Patrick Henry and George Mason.
Federalists argued for a strong national government that could address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, ensuring stability and unity.
Anti-Federalists were concerned about the potential for federal overreach and the absence of a Bill of Rights that could protect individual liberties.
Ratification and Aftermath
Despite strong opposition, the Federalists managed to secure Virginia’s ratification with a vote of 89 to 79. This decision was crucial not only because of Virginia’s prominence but also because it followed New Hampshire’s ratification on June 21, 1788, making the Constitution legally effective with Virginia’s backing providing broader legitimacy.
The ratification by Virginia also had several key consequences:
Strengthening the Union: It boosted the establishment of the new federal government by adding credibility, owing to the state’s political and economic influence.
Bill of Rights: The contentious debates in Virginia and other states helped lead to the creation of the Bill of Rights. To address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists, the Federalists promised to add amendments that specifically protected individual liberties.
Virginia’s ratification of the Constitution was a landmark event that helped shape the foundation of American governance and ensured the success of the new constitutional framework.