On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, playing a crucial role in the creation of the American republic. At that time, Pennsylvania was the most populous and diverse of the 13 colonies, making its decision to support the Constitution especially significant. Pennsylvania’s ratification was a major victory for the Federalist cause, setting a strong precedent for the other colonies and helping to legitimize the new framework of government.
The Road to Ratification
Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary Era
Before ratifying the U.S. Constitution, Pennsylvania had already played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the birth of the nation. Philadelphia, its largest city, was the intellectual and political center of the colonies during the 18th century. The city was home to the First and Second Continental Congresses, where delegates met to discuss grievances against Britain and ultimately declare independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on July 4, 1776.
Pennsylvania was not just politically significant, but economically vibrant and socially diverse as well. Its population included Quakers, Germans, Scots-Irish, and other groups, all of whom had different views on governance and personal freedoms. This diversity contributed to intense political debates during the Revolution and the drafting of the Constitution. The state’s strategic location and its diverse population made Pennsylvania’s support vital for the new Constitution to succeed.
The Articles of Confederation and the Need for Change
After the Revolutionary War, the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation, a document that many believed to be flawed. Under the Articles, the central government lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its size or population, and any amendments required unanimous approval from all 13 states. The result was a weak national government unable to respond effectively to economic crises, international threats, or internal rebellion.
Pennsylvania, like many states, experienced economic instability and political turmoil during this period. The state’s economy had been hit hard by the war, and the central government was unable to provide adequate financial support or stability. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s leaders grew frustrated with the inefficiencies of the Articles, especially given the state’s large population and economic importance. Many Pennsylvanians saw the need for a stronger central government that could unify the nation, promote economic growth, and provide security.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787
In response to the growing dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia in May 1787. Delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send a representative) gathered to address the weaknesses of the Articles and propose a new framework of government. Pennsylvania, as the host state, had a prominent delegation at the convention, including figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris, and James Wilson.
The Pennsylvania delegation was largely supportive of creating a strong national government. James Wilson, in particular, played a key role in drafting and defending the Constitution. A Scottish-born lawyer and legal scholar, Wilson argued passionately for a government based on popular sovereignty, with powers divided between the national and state governments. He also helped craft the “Great Compromise,” which balanced the interests of large and small states by creating a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
Benjamin Franklin, the elder statesman of the convention, also supported the Constitution, though he advocated for moderation and compromise between the Federalists (who supported a strong central government) and the Anti-Federalists (who feared that too much centralized power would threaten individual liberties). Franklin’s influence and reputation as a founding father helped lend legitimacy to the proceedings.
The result of the convention was the U.S. Constitution, a document that established a federal system of government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—each with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The Constitution also included provisions for amending the document, allowing it to adapt to future challenges and changes in the country.
The Ratification Process in Pennsylvania
Swift Action After the Convention
After the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, it needed to be ratified by at least nine of the 13 states to become the law of the land. The ratification process was contentious, as states debated the merits of the new government framework and the potential threat to states’ rights and individual liberties.
Pennsylvania was the second state to hold a ratifying convention, after Delaware. On October 6, 1787, the Pennsylvania legislature met in a contentious session to decide whether to call a state convention to consider ratifying the Constitution. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, had a majority in the legislature, but the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it, sought to delay the process.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Federalists resorted to extraordinary measures to ensure that the legislature would have a quorum. They forcibly dragged two absent Anti-Federalist legislators back to the statehouse to ensure enough members were present to call for a ratifying convention. Despite the heated opposition, the Federalists succeeded, and Pennsylvania scheduled its ratification convention to begin on November 20, 1787.
The Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention
The Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention was held at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, the same location where the Constitutional Convention had taken place. The convention consisted of 69 delegates, 46 of whom were Federalists and 23 were Anti-Federalists. The large Federalist majority ensured that the Constitution would be ratified, but the debates in the convention were intense and significant.
James Wilson, a leading Federalist, was the principal advocate for ratification. He gave several speeches in defense of the Constitution, arguing that it provided a balance between the powers of the national and state governments while safeguarding individual liberties through the separation of powers and checks and balances. Wilson emphasized that the Constitution was a product of compromise and that it was flexible enough to be amended in the future if necessary.
On the other side, the Anti-Federalists, led by figures such as John Smilie and Robert Whitehill, raised concerns about the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution. They feared that the new government would have too much power and that individual freedoms would be at risk. They argued that the Constitution should be amended before ratification to include explicit protections for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to a fair trial, among others.
Despite these concerns, the Federalists remained in control of the convention. On December 12, 1787, after several weeks of debate, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution by a vote of 46 to 23. The Federalists celebrated the victory as a crucial step toward the creation of a stronger, more unified nation.
Key Figures in Pennsylvania’s Ratification
James Wilson
One of the most important figures in Pennsylvania’s ratification process was James Wilson. A leading advocate for a strong central government, Wilson was instrumental in drafting the Constitution and defending it during the ratification debates. Born in Scotland, Wilson had emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1760s and quickly rose to prominence as a lawyer and political thinker.
At the Constitutional Convention, Wilson argued for a government based on popular sovereignty, with the people as the ultimate source of authority. He supported the idea of a strong national government that could regulate commerce, enforce laws, and provide security, but he also believed in the importance of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
During Pennsylvania’s ratifying convention, Wilson gave a series of powerful speeches in defense of the Constitution. He addressed the concerns of the Anti-Federalists, arguing that the Constitution’s system of government was designed to protect individual liberties while ensuring effective governance. Wilson’s eloquence and logic helped persuade many Pennsylvanians to support ratification.
Benjamin Franklin
Although Franklin was in his 80s during the Constitutional Convention and the ratification debates, his presence was deeply influential. Franklin had been one of the most prominent leaders of the American Revolution, and his support for the Constitution lent credibility to the Federalist cause. Known for his diplomatic skills and his ability to forge compromise, Franklin helped bridge the divide between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
While Franklin supported a strong national government, he was also mindful of the concerns about individual liberties and the concentration of power. He advocated for moderation and urged his fellow Pennsylvanians to consider the Constitution as a living document that could be amended over time. His balanced approach helped ease tensions and contributed to Pennsylvania’s swift ratification.
Anti-Federalist Leaders: John Smilie and Robert Whitehill
The Anti-Federalists in Pennsylvania, though outnumbered, were vocal in their opposition to the Constitution. Two of their leading figures were John Smilie and Robert Whitehill. Both men were deeply concerned about the potential for government overreach and the absence of a bill of rights in the original Constitution.
Smilie, a Scottish-born immigrant, was a fierce advocate for individual liberties and limited government. He argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government and would erode the rights of the states and the people. Whitehill shared similar concerns, particularly regarding the lack of protections for free speech, freedom of the press, and other civil liberties.
Despite their passionate arguments, the Anti-Federalists were unable to stop the ratification of the Constitution in Pennsylvania. However, their concerns would later influence the drafting of the Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution in 1791.
The Aftermath of Pennsylvania’s Ratification
Setting a Precedent for Other States
Pennsylvania’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution was a significant victory for the Federalist cause and set an important precedent for other states. As the second state to ratify the document, Pennsylvania’s support helped build momentum for the Constitution’s adoption across the country.
Pennsylvania’s diverse population and prominent political role made its ratification especially important. If a large, populous, and politically influential state like Pennsylvania could support the Constitution, it signaled to other states that the new framework of government was viable and necessary for the nation’s future.
Following Pennsylvania’s ratification, several other states moved quickly to follow suit. New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut ratified the Constitution within weeks of Pennsylvania, bringing the total number of ratifying states to five by January 1788. However, the ratification process was far from over, and significant opposition remained in states like New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
The Federalist-Anti-Federalist Divide
While Pennsylvania’s ratification was a victory for the Federalists, the debates during the convention highlighted deep divisions between Federalists and Anti-Federalists that would persist for years. The Anti-Federalists’ concerns about individual liberties and the concentration of power in the federal government did not disappear after ratification. In fact, these concerns would continue to shape American political discourse throughout the early years of the republic.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Federalist-Anti-Federalist divide was the eventual addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. Although the Federalists argued that the Constitution already contained sufficient protections for individual liberties through its system of checks and balances, the Anti-Federalists insisted that explicit guarantees were necessary. In response to these concerns, the first Congress of the United States drafted the Bill of Rights in 1789, and it was ratified by the states in 1791.
The Bill of Rights, which includes the first ten amendments to the Constitution, addressed many of the Anti-Federalists’ concerns. It guaranteed freedoms such as speech, religion, and the press, and provided protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to a fair trial, and the right to bear arms, among others. The addition of the Bill of Rights helped to ease some of the tensions between Federalists and Anti-Federalists and contributed to the stability of the new government.
The Lasting Legacy of Pennsylvania’s Ratification
Pennsylvania’s decision to ratify the U.S. Constitution had far-reaching implications for the future of the United States. As the second state to ratify, Pennsylvania played a pivotal role in the success of the new framework of government. The state’s support for the Constitution helped to build momentum for ratification across the country, ensuring that the Constitution would become the law of the land.
The ratification debates in Pennsylvania also highlighted the importance of compromise and dialogue in the creation of the American republic. The concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists, particularly regarding individual liberties, were not dismissed but were addressed through the addition of the Bill of Rights. This willingness to adapt and improve the Constitution has been a defining feature of the U.S. political system, allowing it to endure and evolve over more than two centuries.
Today, Pennsylvania’s legacy as the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution is celebrated as a key moment in the birth of the United States. The state’s contributions to the drafting, debating, and ratifying of the Constitution continue to be remembered as foundational to the American experiment in democracy.
