US Constitution?

Question

Why was there a fight over the ratification of the Constitution?

Answer 1

The division of power at the federal level between the large populated states and the least populated states. It was solved by granting the lower house of congress representation based on the population of each state; while the upper house of congress (the senate) would be represented by two senators for each state.

Answer 2

The reason for the fight of ratification was because there were two schools of thought about the future of the United States. On one hand, the Federalists (which in reality were Nationalists), wanted a strong national government, with powers independent from the States. The National government, would then have the power to pass any laws to carry out its duties, that meant the power to tax, power to regulate commerce, and all powers relating to foreign affairs. The Federalists believed that the Articles of Confederation did not give any of these powers to the Confederated Congress and therefore sought a government with the powers explained above. The Anti-Federalists on the other hand, wanted a weak Central government, and more importantly, a league of states, in which all 13 States would be sovereign and independent. Any central government will have its power subjected to the will of the states. When the Convention passed what became our Constitution, it allotted the new government with powers that many anti federalists feared would lead to the Consolidation of the 13 states of the Union. The fight for ratification was therefore between these two schools of thought, weak central government against strong central government.

Since you seem interested in the battle between the federalists and anti-federalists, I would suggest you buy two volumes called "The Debate on the Constitution", edited by Benard Baylin and sold by the Library of America.

Answer 3

A centralized goverment VS State power....thats why