Why was Rhode Island the last state to ratify the Constitution?

Question

What was their reason behind waiting so long?

Answer 1

No one seems to have explained the main reason why Rhode Island OBJECTED to the Constitution (as opposed to why they finally gave in). It was NOT (for example) that they were a "smaller state".

If I had to summarize it in one simplistic phrase I'd say "THEIR FARMERS WANTED PAPER CURRENCY" (as you may see in some place...only I'll TRY to explain what that means).

The BIGGEST KEY to Rhode Island's refusal to send representatives to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and then to call a state convention to vote on the document was the "agrarian" party that controlled the state legislature at the time and which believed a stronger central government would hurt their own economic interests. This group was found elsewhere, but ONLY in control in Rhode Island.
________

Oddly, most of us weren't taught about this in school, though it is actually of a piece with the Shays Rebellion in Massachusetts and helps explain WHY that rebellion fueled the push for a new Constitution with a stronger federal government.

Here was the situation. Rural DEBTORS (artisans and esp. farmers) who were losing their farms to debt in the post-war economic downturn. These folks advocated PAPER CURRENCY and more of it --which would make it easier to pay off their debts --in place of the "hard currency" that merchants and creditors preferred-- as well as low taxes and a "populist" government, with the vote expanded to cover more people.

(This is actually a theme at several points in American history -- and it is GENERALLY true that times of inflation with 'looser money supply', often including the printing of more paper currency, are a help to rural debtors. This same concern, for example, was behind western support for Andrew Jackson against "east coast bankers", fueled the mid 19th century "Greenback" party and late 19th century populism with its fight for 'bimetalism'.)

________

Now what most of us have NOT been told is that the same type of people involved in the Shays Rebellion were busy in OTHER parts of New England, including RHODE ISLAND. More than that, in this case they had organized a "Country Party", which had led an "agrarian revolt" and succeeded in taking control of the state legislature. Note that this was the ONLY state in which such an effort succeeded.

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/socialstudies/btt/celebratingfreedom/content.php4/1141/14

After gaining control they expanded to printing of paper money and passed laws that FORCED merchants, et.al. to accept it. Of course, a stronger federal government, including more control over taxes and the MONEY supply was a threat to this program.


Summary of the situation:

"Farmers and rural artisans, who were accustomed to a barter economy, owed creditors and tax collectors cash they did not have. As the economy worsened, they increasingly found themselves hauled into debtors' courts or prisons. (Shays himself was sued twice.) Beginning in 1784, members of an inchoate agrarian movement peacefully proposed through town petitions and county conventions that states issue PAPER MONEY or pass tender laws, which would allow DEBT PAYMENT in goods and services as well as hard currency. But with the exception of RHODE ISLAND, New England's legislatures were dominated by commercial interests and refused to enact reform."
http://www.answers.com/topic/shays-rebellion?cat=biz-fin

For more on the struggle WITHIN Rhode Island see "Paper Money in Rhode Island" by John Fiske
http://adena.com/adena/usa/rv/rv014.htm
________

There were other reasons some in the state did not favor a stronger federal government, but this "revolt"/takeover was certainly the most important part. In fact, the merchant-creditors "party" (which WAS in control in other states) fought ELEVEN times to convene a convention to RATIFY the Constitution. Finally, and in part because all others had now ratified the Constitution and were threatening to freeze Rhode Island out (economic consequences), the Country Party allowed a vote -- though even then ratification was by a narrow 34-32 vote, and only then because several opponents abstained from voting.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/RhodeIslandHistory/chapt3.html

Rhode Island's key concerns are, in fact, expressed in the "ratification message" they connected to their vote, specifically in the amendments they asked for. Note these on the following page, especially those having to with monetary issues, such as taxes (making them MORE difficult to pass), above all Amendment III, which addresses the paper money issue.
http://www.usconstitution.net/rat_ri.html

________

(A side note -- There is NO parallel between Rhode Island's fight against the Constitution and the battles in New York and Virginia. For one thing, these two large states DID decide at the start to hold ratifying conventions [as did North Carolina], and voted TWO YEARS before Rhode Island acted. In fact, they were in session at the SAME time as other states and voting BEFORE they even knew that a 9th vote had been cast. More important, given their size and clout they KNEW that the Union would NOT succeed without their support, so they were not at the mercy of the other states, as Rhode Island was.)

Answer 2

Last State To Ratify The Constitution

Answer 3

Rhode Island didn't like the idea to begin with. They were "Anti-Federalist", as were three other states.

"Rhode Island was not present at the Constitutional Convention.
On May 25, 1787, 55 representatives from all of the states except for Rhode Island were sent to Philadelphia to talk of the government in the future of the country. (Constitutional Convention) George Washington was elected as the leader.
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire were the first 9 states to sign the Constitution. Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island were the only states to not sign it. (4 Laggard States)
The Four Laggard States
Virginia, New York, and North Carolina all ratified the Constitution before it was put into effect. Rhode Island was the last state to ratify it and it did so only after the new government had been in operation for a few months.
These 4 states did not ratify the Constitution because they wanted to but because they had to. They could not safely exist outside the fold."

"The thirteenth and last state to ratify was the small state of Rhode Island on May 29, 1790 with an extremely close, 34 to 32 vote. President Washington had already been elected and the first Congress was in session by this time. Rhode Island’s stalling brought to light one of the Anti-Federalists most objectionable provisions in the Constitution. If a state failed to elect federal senators and representatives, as Rhode Island had failed to appoint convention delegates, Congress would have the right and obligation to step in and provide for an election. The delay in holding a convention meant that Congress could also place economic sanctions against Rhode Island, and on January 15, 1790 it did just that. Some towns who supported ratification even asked Congress for protection if they seceded from the state and joined the Union (Gillespie & Lienesch). On May 13, 1790 Congress passed a bill to boycott Rhode Island. No American ships could enter the harbors in Rhode Island and their ships could not enter the United States ports. They were no longer part of the new nation. Commerce by land was likewise restricted. Congress also demanded that Rhode Island pay its debt of $25,00.00 by December 1, 1790. Ratification came shortly after by pressuring the opposition. The state was back in the Union. "

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why was Rhode Island the last state to ratify the Constitution?
What was their reason behind waiting so long?

Answer 5

Rhode Island felt 'dwarfed' by more populous neighbors and feared the consequences of joining a Federation, feeling that in a Confederation they might retain their independence.... As many a New Englander will testify, Rhode Islanders are a contentious lot... A contrarian bunch... It was Rhode Island that insisted upon the two senators per state clause.

Peace....................

Answer 6

Yes, on May 29, 1790. There was some technicality with Article 13. Please note that New Hampshire was the ninth and last state needed to ratitfy the Constitution.