Malcolm Rivera
Following the ratification of the US Constitution in 1789, one of America's biggest challenges was the division between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, believed that a strong central government was necessary to face the nation's challenges. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, arguing that it created a powerful central government reminiscent of the one they had overthrown and lacked a bill of rights. This division led to bitter debates and tensions during the ratification process, with the Federalists ultimately prevailing. Another significant issue was the question of slavery, which was central to debates over commerce and representation. The Three-Fifths Compromise was included in the Constitution, influencing congressional representation and increasing the number of congressional seats in several states, particularly in the South. Additionally, the Constitution allowed Congress to ban the slave trade after 20 years, and in 1808, the United States formally prohibited the international slave trade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lack of enforcement powers | The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money |
| Disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade | The states' disputes over these issues threatened to tear the young country apart |
| Rivalries between states | The Articles required unanimous consent to any amendment, so all 13 states would need to agree on a change. Given the rivalries between the states, that rule made the Articles impossible to adapt after the war ended with Britain in 1783 |
| Inability to collect taxes | The Confederation relied on voluntary efforts of the states to send tax money to the central government. Lacking funds, the central government couldn't maintain an effective military or back its own currency |
| Lack of domestic and international powers | States were able to conduct their own foreign policies and had their own money systems |
| Sectional tension | Sectional tension existed under the Articles of Confederation, with large majorities necessary for ratification of measures, often resulting in deadlock along sectional lines between North and South |
| Fear of centralized power | Anti-Federalists fought against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government |
| Fear of an all-powerful authority | Anti-Federalists like Bryan believed that the new government would become one controlled by the wealthy, and that the common working people would be subjugated to its will |
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What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation were inadequate
America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was inadequate for several reasons. Firstly, it gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers, meaning it couldn't regulate commerce or print money. This led to disputes between states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the young country apart.
Secondly, the Articles were nearly impossible to amend as they required unanimous consent from all 13 states, which was challenging due to rivalries and differing interests. The central government also lacked the power to collect taxes, relying on voluntary state contributions, which impacted its ability to maintain a strong military and back its currency.
Thirdly, the Articles did not provide for a strong central government, resulting in states conducting their own foreign policies and having their own money systems. This lack of centralized authority was a concern for Federalists, who believed a strong central government was necessary to address national challenges. The Articles' inadequacies in managing interstate commerce and economic competition further highlighted its limitations.
Finally, the Articles' inability to address sectional tensions and the need for an executive branch to handle routine paperwork contributed to its inadequacy. The large majorities required for ratification of measures often resulted in deadlock between the North and South. These issues, along with concerns over the payment of debts from the Revolutionary War, led delegates to create a new model of government with checks and balances across the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.
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Centralised power
On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists opposed the creation of a powerful central government, reminiscent of the one they had overthrown. They feared that the new government would become controlled by the wealthy and culturally refined, subjugating the common working people to an all-powerful authority. The Anti-Federalists also objected to the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention, wary of centralised power and loyal to their states, crafted a powerful central government through a series of compromises. They divided federal authority between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches, creating a system of checks and balances. The Executive branch was established to handle routine paperwork and conduct foreign relations, while the Senate would handle important issues such as the ratification of treaties.
The ratification campaign was a close contest, with the Federalists ultimately succeeding in securing the required number of states. However, the Anti-Federalists' concerns were not entirely dismissed. Madison, one of the new representatives, worked to enact amendments, and by December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified the 10 amendments known today as the Bill of Rights.
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Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
The ratification of the US Constitution in 1789 was a significant milestone in the country's history, but it also highlighted a deep divide between two factions: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. These two groups had vastly different visions for the young nation, and their ideological clash shaped the early years of the American republic.
The Federalists, who could be described as nationalists, were instrumental in shaping the new Constitution. They believed in a strong central government and felt that the Articles of Confederation, which had previously governed the nation, were inadequate. Federalists like James Wilson praised the new government as the best "which has ever been offered to the world". They found support among commercial interests, men of property, creditors, and prominent figures like George Washington.
On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution. They argued that the Federalists' vision of a strong national government came at the expense of the states and the people. The Anti-Federalists feared that the new government would become controlled by the wealthy and culturally refined, subjugating the common working people. They wanted to ensure that the liberties they felt were violated by the Constitution were protected. However, the Anti-Federalists lacked effective organisation across the thirteen states, and so they had to fight the ratification at each state convention.
The clash between Federalists and Anti-Federalists resulted in a bitter and rancorous political climate. The Anti-Federalists' efforts did not prevent the Constitution's ratification, but they did succeed in forcing the first Congress to establish a Bill of Rights. This series of amendments, including what Americans now know as the Bill of Rights, was a compromise that addressed some of the Anti-Federalists' concerns about individual liberties.
In conclusion, the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists was a critical chapter in America's early history. It reflected a fundamental disagreement about the role of government and the balance of power between the states and the central authority. The Federalists' victory in ratifying the Constitution laid the foundation for a stronger national government, while the Anti-Federalists' efforts ensured that this government would have checks and balances to protect individual freedoms.
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State rivalries
The Anti-Federalists, who opposed the ratification of the new Constitution, were concerned about the creation of a powerful central government, reminding them of the one they had recently overthrown. They also objected to the lack of a bill of rights in the new Constitution. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed that a strong central government was necessary to address the nation's challenges and prevent the country from collapsing.
The delegates who crafted the Constitution, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, recognized the need to balance state power with a strong central government. They created a model of government that relied on checks and balances, dividing federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. This new government structure aimed to address the issues arising from state rivalries and sectional tensions.
One of the critical compromises made during the Constitutional Convention was the "Three-Fifths Compromise," which addressed the issue of slavery. This compromise provided that three-fifths of the enslaved people in each state would count toward congressional representation, significantly impacting congressional seats, especially in the South. Additionally, the delegates agreed to allow Congress to ban the slave trade after 20 years, and in 1808, the United States formally prohibited the international slave trade.
The ratification of the Constitution was a complex process, bypassing state legislatures and instead relying on special ratifying conventions in each state. The Federalists worked tirelessly to persuade states to ratify, and the compromise of "vote now, amend later" played a crucial role in securing victory in several states. By December 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states had ratified the Bill of Rights, comprising the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
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Executive power
The Federalists, who supported the new Constitution, argued for a powerful central government that could address these issues. They believed that a strong executive was necessary to lead the nation and address its challenges. On the other hand, Anti-Federalists opposed the creation of a powerful central government, fearing that it would become controlled by the wealthy and established families, subjugating the common people. They favoured states' rights and a weaker executive.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a model of government with checks and balances, dividing federal authority between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. While the Constitution did not initially stipulate the existence of departments within the executive branch, the need for them was recognised, and Congress passed legislation creating the Department of Foreign Affairs (later renamed the Department of State) in 1789.
The new Constitution also gave the President, as head of the executive branch, the authority to conduct foreign relations. This was a significant shift from the Articles of Confederation, which had given this power to the Confederation Congress. The Constitution's two-thirds clause for ratification of treaties in the Senate allowed for greater representation of the Southern states and helped address sectional tensions.
In summary, executive power was a central issue in the ratification of the American Constitution, with Federalists and Anti-Federalists offering differing visions for the role of the executive in the new government. The final Constitution established a strong executive branch with the President at its head, tasked with conducting foreign relations and executing the laws of the land.
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Frequently asked questions
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money. The states’ disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the young country apart.
The Federalists, who believed that a strong central government was necessary, were opposed by the Anti-Federalists, who fought against the Constitution as it created a powerful central government and lacked a bill of rights. The ratification campaign was a close call, with the Federalists ultimately winning out.
The "Three-Fifths Compromise" stated that 60% of enslaved people in each state would count toward congressional representation, which greatly increased the number of congressional seats in several states, particularly in the South.
The First Federal Congress saw one of its new representatives from Virginia, James Madison, persuade the House to enact amendments. Madison defused anti-Federalists' objections to the Constitution, shepherding through 17 amendments in the early months of Congress, which were later trimmed to 12 in the Senate.
