The years were 1787 and 1788. The places: “out-of-doors” in newspapers and pamphlets throughout America’s thirteen states and “in-doors” in the state ratifying conventions. Following the Constitutional Convention, a great debate took place throughout America over the Constitution that had been proposed.

During the struggle for ratification, the Federalists and Antifederalists engaged in a great newspaper and pamphlet debate over the proposed Constitution.

View Gordon Lloyd’s in-depth studies of of the Massachusetts, Virginia, and New York state ratifying conventions.

View the Massachusetts Centinel’s drawings of the federal pillars rising during the ratification debate.

View the six stages of the ratification of the Constitution with links to many other features on this site.

View the Federalist-Antifederalist breakdown of each state during the ratification debate.