Interpret the Evidence and Put It in Context

Document Links:

Document 7.5 James Madison, Federalist 10, The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection, November 1787

Document 7.6 Melancton Smith, Antifederalist Argument at the New York State Convention, June 1788

Document 7.7 Alexander Hamilton, Pro-Federalist Argument at the New York State Convention, June 1788

Document 7.8 John Williams, Antifederalist Argument at the New York State Convention, June 1788

Document 7.9 The Eleventh Pillar of the Great National Dome, July 1788

Interpret the Evidence

  1. How do Melancton Smith, Alexander Hamilton, and John Williams each view the problems that exist under the confederation government (Documents 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8)?

  2. What does James Madison see as the major source of factions in the United States, and how does he think they can most effectively be contained (Document 7.5)?

  3. What are the main arguments for and against the three-fifths compromise in the Constitution (Documents 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8)? What other issues of representation inspired debate?

  4. Are there any shared beliefs between the Federalists and Antifederalists in New York (Documents 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, and 7.8)? Do these explain Smith’s decision to vote yes on ratification?

  5. How does the Massachusetts Centinel represent the legacy of New York’s ratification of the Constitution (Document 7.9)?

Put It in Context

In what ways does the ratification process in New York State reflect larger debates and divisions in the United States in the 1780s?

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