Plausibly Live! - The Official Podcast Of The Dave Bowman Show

In September 1787, after months of deliberation, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia presented a new Constitution to the states for ratification. Pennsylvania, hosting the convention, was poised to play a critical role in the unfolding drama. The state was a microcosm of the broader national debate, encapsulating the tension between the desire for a strong central government and the fear of losing individual and state rights. The Federalists in Pennsylvania, led by figures like James Wilson and Gouverneur Morris, were ardent supporters of a strong central government. They believed that the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation necessitated a new constitution to provide stability and unity. Their strategy was marked by a sense of urgency; they moved quickly to call a state convention to ratify the Constitution. This rapid mobilization was partly a tactical move to outpace the Anti-Federalists, who were scrambling to articulate their opposition. The Anti-Federalists in Pennsylvania, though voc