The events surrounding Virginia's ratification of the Constitution?

Question

I'm having trouble finding information on this.
Was Virginia mostly federalist or anti-federalist?
What were her main arguments for not ratifying the Constitution?
Which states ratified before her? After?

I can't find anything on this... HELP!

Answer 1

Below is the order in which states ratified the Constitution (ending with the vote tally). Note that the Constitution went into effect as soon as 2/3, that is nine, of the states, ratified. Hence it had the numbers it needed just before Virginia voted (though no one knew this yet). But there is no way it could have succeeded if such a large and powerful state as Virginia had opposed it (similarly with New York).

1 - Delaware December 7, 1787 (30 - 0)
2 - Pennsylvania December 12, 1787 (46 - 23)
3 - New Jersey December 18, 1787 (38 - 0)
4 - Georgia January 2, 1788 (26 - 0)
5 - Connecticut January 9, 1788 (128 - 40)
6 - Massachusetts February 6, 1788 (187 - 168)
7 - Maryland April 28, 1788(63 - 11)
8 - South Carolina May 23, 1788 (149 - 73)
9 - New Hampshire June 21, 1788 (57 - 47)

10 - Virginia June 25, 1788 (89-79)
11 - New York July 26, 1788 (30 - 27)
12 - North Carolina November 21, 1789 (194 - 77)
13 - Rhode Island May 29, 1790 (34-32)


In fact, Virginia was very much divided over ratification. Those opposed to it, led by the likes of Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, James Monroe and George Mason-- had quite a bit of influence, and often were able to get in Madison's way. The whole things was a rather uncertain process. If you want the details, a significant portion of a recent book you may find in a local library focuses on the Virginia ratification process -- *James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Right* by Richard Labunski (Oxfore University Press, 2006). (You might also try to "search inside" the book at Amazon for a start.)

If you want a look at their arguments --
Here's a collection of some of the argument against ratification
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/archive/resources/documents/ch07_04.htm

And here's a full record of the debates:
http://www.constitution.org/rc/rat_va.htm

Answer 2

The Virginia ratifying convention was held in 1788 to ratify the Constitution of Virginia. The convention met and deliberated for three weeks.

During the Virginia Ratification convention, Virginia statesman George Mason argued for additional resolutions such as a bill of rights, an executive branch, states rights, and a two-thirds majority for commerce laws and command of Army and Navy. The constitution was passed without these additional amendments, but many of the ideas presenting during this convention were later incorporated into the Bill of Rights.