The ratification of the Constitution was difficult due to the fact some people didn't like the document in the first place. Conventions took place in each state in order to ratify the document. "Article VII stipulated that nine states had to ratify the constitution for it to go into effect".
Did Americans keep calm? Anti federalists was the source of the opposing crowd. The social classes was a concern to some. Delegates of Philadelphia were accused of being in favor of the higher class citizens. People argued that they had consequently designed a document that "served their special interests and reserved the franchise for the propertied classes". Power of the central government was another controversy. They argued too much power was given to the central government. Also that it was at the expense of the states. "The most serious criticism was that the Constitutional Convention had failed to adopt a bill of rights proposed by George Mason". The Federalists fought back and was convinced that the rejection of the Constitution would affect the country, ending in anarchy and civil strife. Newspapers such as The Federalists responded to these anti federalists.
How did they actually get to the ratification process with all that criticism and opposing views? Federalists cleared the air regarding the bill of rights arguments. "The the national government was so constrained by the Constitution that it posed no threat to the rights of citizens. Although this was said, during the ratification in Virginia Madison concluded that a bill of rights was needed. In conclusion, the adoption of a bill of rights was leading the country into a new government.
This is a highly controversial document on how much of an impact it had made in the country. The document effecting the national government but the state government as well. The Articles of Confederation was strong in way which gave the United States the ability to start foreign trade. Borrowing money was another factor that was beneficial to the nation when this document was in place. The country was now given the opportunity to defend their selves if hard times stuck. The ability to declare of war came from the document. If needed to make peace, this was also given. We could being the operation of post offices throughout the country. Weaknesses always exist in documents, but in this case many exist. The nation and the states were beginning to clash due to lack of laws between the two. The National government did not have the power to make the states obey their laws, even though they are the higher power. Along with no system of national courts being excluded. This document did not provide any power on taxing or the ability to enforce the laws in place. A steady and strong leadership within the U.S congress was non-existing. In addition missing from this document that was supposed to help the country, no national army or navy was current. In conclusion The Articles of Confederation had weaknesses within it that are major factors that make the country run as well as it does today.
