Justify why States should support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Use evidence from at least two documents.
To justify why states should support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, we can examine two significant documents from that time: The Federalist Papers and the Constitution itself. These documents provide evidence of the benefits and reasons why states should endorse and ratify the Constitution.
1. The Federalist Papers: The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay between 1787 and 1788. They were published to persuade New York citizens to support the ratification of the Constitution. Here is an example of evidence from The Federalist Papers:
In Federalist No. 10, James Madison discusses the importance of a strong central government to prevent the dangers of factionalism and tyranny of the majority. Madison argues that the Constitution's system of checks and balances, combined with the large size of the United States, will help to control the negative effects of factions. This evidence demonstrates that the Constitution will protect individual liberties while maintaining a stable government.
2. The Constitution: The Constitution itself provides evidence of why states should support its ratification. It outlines the structure and powers of the federal government, as well as the rights and responsibilities of both the national and state governments. One key provision that states may find compelling is the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2), which establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. This ensures that states will have a stable legal framework and consistent rules across the country, fostering unity and simplifying governance.
Additionally, the Constitution addresses concerns from the states under the earlier Articles of Confederation. It establishes a stronger and more effective central government, with provisions for taxation, defense, and regulation of commerce. By addressing these issues, the Constitution offers states the opportunity to have a more cohesive and functional union while still preserving their individual sovereignty.
In summary, evidence from The Federalist Papers and the Constitution itself supports the idea that states should endorse and ratify the U.S. Constitution. The Federalist Papers argue for a strong central government to prevent factionalism and protect individual liberties, while the Constitution provides a framework for stable governance, unity, and the resolution of previous concerns.