Constitution

Watching this video (which has no closed captions) is optional.

V. Ratification
A. Early Momentum
Supporters knew of the challenges that faced them in ratifying the
Constitution, and they sought to build momentum by getting it passed
first in the states which would benefit most. States that were highly
commercial, weak in the existing order, and badly ravaged during the
war were likely to favor a strong new government. Delaware, New
Jersey, and Georgia each ratified unanimously. Pennsylvania
followed quickly, as did Connecticut - both by large margins in favor
of the Constitution.

B. Anti-Federalists and the Bill of Rights

But the Constitution received its fiercest opposition in the states of
New York and Virginia where opponents looked with suspicion upon a
strong central government. In the end,however,these
Anti-FederalistsLinks to an external site. as they were called were
outmaneuvered and out-argued by the well organizedFederalistsLinks
to an external site. (you can read the FederalistPapers onlineLinks to
an external site.). But their opposition did result in one important
development: a series of amendments to the Constitution that would
protect citizens against the government. The Bill of RightsLinks to an
external site. - which provided Americans with a series of rights
ranging from free speech to a speedy trial by jury - was adopted
swiftly thanks in large part to the efforts of the Anti-Federalists.
 Bill of Rights

In 1788, the Constitution was ratified by 11 states [North Carolina (1789)

and Rhode Island (1790) were the holdouts] and a new political order was
ready to be implemented.
VI. Conclusion: Democracy vs.
Republicanism
The Constitution was a republican document, but not democratic. Through
its ratification, Americans gave their consent for the government to rule.
But consent is not the same as involvement - and the Founding Fathers
sought to limit involvement, not to encourage it. The President would be
elected by the Electoral College. Senators would owe their office to the
state governments, not to direct election. Even the House - though
popularly elected - would only have 65 members - barely a quarter of the
size of the assembly of Massachusetts - and members would serve
constituencies as large as 30,000 people. The length of terms, the
distance from which they would conduct government, and the method of
election all served to insulate federal politicians from popular pressure.
Why is any of this significant? Because during the confederation years,
state legislatures were largely controlled not by exceptional men but by
artisans, farmers, and average citizens who favored debtors over creditors.
In short, this type of democracy was not only bad for business, but
hindered the type of modernization and development those of the
upper-class envisioned for America. The Constitution was tailor-made for a
government that would be run by exceptional men (for who else would be
elected to Congress or the Presidency but those with the most visibility?)
An America organized around law, contract, and the needs of large-scale
commerce could now come into being.