History lessons: The Federalists play dirty - Massachusetts
The ratification of the US consitution:
#06 MA Convention
Yea: 144 | Nay: 192
Antifederalist: Nay.
Federalists: Yea.
AF: we're the majority, so suck it. We're not ratifying this abomination!
F: *sulks* Why not?
AF: It's undemocratic! Democracies only work if it's small.
F: But if you want this republic to survive, we have to think on a large scale. It's all about compomises!
AF: All I hear is blah blah blah.
*drags on debate*
A convention of awesome people:
Federalist 1: We need to get these farmers and debtors to agree to our consitution.
Federalist 2: But how do we do this?
Federalist 1: If we drag this on long enough, the farmer-antifederalists will want to go home because they can't afford to stay in Boston.
Federalist 2: Oooh, that's good. Then they can't vote if they're not here right?
Federalist 1: Exactly!
Federalist 3: Guys, you know how the two most influencial people in Massachusetts are Samual Adams and John Hancock right? Let's get them to support the ratification and then the rest will probably follow along.
Federalist 1: That's a good idea! Yay! Let's try that!
Federalists: Hazzah!
Pursuading Sam Adams to support the constitution:
Sam Adams: I hate this constitution thing they're trying to pass. Antifederalist FTW. There's nothing wrong with the Articles of Confederation! They just need to ratify the thing, and that's it!
*a knock on the door and Adams goes to open it*
Mob of merchants and artisans: Hello Sammy!
Sam Adams: :D Hey Guys!
Mob: Here! We have a list of people who want you to support the consitution! *beams*
Sam Adams: D: *nervous and cannot believe the mob is using his own method against him*
Mob: *beams--still threatening*
Sam Adams: Fine, I support the constutition. :(
Mob: Yay!
Pursuading John Hancock:
Hancock: I'm soooo awesome, and sooooo cool, and sooooo popular~
Federalists: Johnny, if you support the consitution, you could concievably become the President of the United States. Doesn't that sound like a position worthy enough for THE John Hancock? Especially if Virgina doesn't ratify, then Washington won't be a contender. Even if that does happen, doesn't vice-president sound cool?
Hancock: Oooh, I like the sound of that! *secretly hates Washington* Ah! But I can't just switch sides and support the Constitution you guys came up with! I'll look like a flip-flopper!
Federalists: Don't worry about it. All you have to do is support it, and then recommend for a Bill of Rights to be included and it'll be fine.
Hancock: Oh, awesome! Thanks for doing all the thinking for me, guys! You're really great.
Federalists: Not as great as you.
Hancock: *preens* I know :D
Let's vote on Ratification today - Feb 9, 1788
Random person: Time to vote!
Hancock: Ahem! Massachusetts supports the Consitution but recommends adding a bill of rights!
Sam Adams: *jumps up* I agree! *secretly resents having to do this*
Antifederalists: D: *Thinking: WHAT?! WHAT DO WE DO NOW?!*
Results: Ratification wins by majority, but not much.
Similar methods were employed in MD and SC.
#06 MA Convention
Yea: 144 | Nay: 192
Antifederalist: Nay.
Federalists: Yea.
AF: we're the majority, so suck it. We're not ratifying this abomination!
F: *sulks* Why not?
AF: It's undemocratic! Democracies only work if it's small.
F: But if you want this republic to survive, we have to think on a large scale. It's all about compomises!
AF: All I hear is blah blah blah.
*drags on debate*
A convention of awesome people:
Federalist 1: We need to get these farmers and debtors to agree to our consitution.
Federalist 2: But how do we do this?
Federalist 1: If we drag this on long enough, the farmer-antifederalists will want to go home because they can't afford to stay in Boston.
Federalist 2: Oooh, that's good. Then they can't vote if they're not here right?
Federalist 1: Exactly!
Federalist 3: Guys, you know how the two most influencial people in Massachusetts are Samual Adams and John Hancock right? Let's get them to support the ratification and then the rest will probably follow along.
Federalist 1: That's a good idea! Yay! Let's try that!
Federalists: Hazzah!
Pursuading Sam Adams to support the constitution:
Sam Adams: I hate this constitution thing they're trying to pass. Antifederalist FTW. There's nothing wrong with the Articles of Confederation! They just need to ratify the thing, and that's it!
*a knock on the door and Adams goes to open it*
Mob of merchants and artisans: Hello Sammy!
Sam Adams: :D Hey Guys!
Mob: Here! We have a list of people who want you to support the consitution! *beams*
Sam Adams: D: *nervous and cannot believe the mob is using his own method against him*
Mob: *beams--still threatening*
Sam Adams: Fine, I support the constutition. :(
Mob: Yay!
Pursuading John Hancock:
Hancock: I'm soooo awesome, and sooooo cool, and sooooo popular~
Federalists: Johnny, if you support the consitution, you could concievably become the President of the United States. Doesn't that sound like a position worthy enough for THE John Hancock? Especially if Virgina doesn't ratify, then Washington won't be a contender. Even if that does happen, doesn't vice-president sound cool?
Hancock: Oooh, I like the sound of that! *secretly hates Washington* Ah! But I can't just switch sides and support the Constitution you guys came up with! I'll look like a flip-flopper!
Federalists: Don't worry about it. All you have to do is support it, and then recommend for a Bill of Rights to be included and it'll be fine.
Hancock: Oh, awesome! Thanks for doing all the thinking for me, guys! You're really great.
Federalists: Not as great as you.
Hancock: *preens* I know :D
Let's vote on Ratification today - Feb 9, 1788
Random person: Time to vote!
Hancock: Ahem! Massachusetts supports the Consitution but recommends adding a bill of rights!
Sam Adams: *jumps up* I agree! *secretly resents having to do this*
Antifederalists: D: *Thinking: WHAT?! WHAT DO WE DO NOW?!*
Results: Ratification wins by majority, but not much.
Similar methods were employed in MD and SC.