Final answer:
The Federalists wrote The Federalist Papers, promised a Bill of Rights, and strategically established ratifying conventions to win the ratification of the Constitution. They focused on pivotal states to secure overall success.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federalists employed several persuasive tactics to ensure the ratification of the Constitution. To disseminate their arguments, they wrote essays and pamphlets, the most famous of which were The Federalist Papers, authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. These essays provided strong arguments for a united national government over a loose confederation of states.
Moreover, the Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution to protect individual liberties, a strategic move that helped win over many delegates who were concerned about a too powerful centralized government. They also altered the ratification process by establishing special conventions rather than going through state legislatures, which they believed might reject giving up their power.
This proved to be a shrewd political strategy, as these conventions were typically populated by Federalist-sympathetic delegates due to the Antifederalists' boycott.
Finally, the Federalist efforts were keenly focused on winning over the most populous states, such as Virginia and New York, understanding that their support was indispensable. Their success in these pivotal states ultimately led to the ratification of the Constitution and the establishment of the new federal government.