The Articles of Confederation attempted to provide structure, and governance to the newly emancipated states. After ratification, numerous problems arose from the setup of the government. This prompted for a revision of the Articles of Confederation. Two groups emerged around the debate for a new constitution. The two groups are the federalist who supported a strong central government, and the anti-federalist who did not. Both groups have distinct ideological differences on how the new document, and government would be structured. The structure between the states and the central government was among the chief problem between the federalists, and the anti-federalist. Many were afraid of the tyranny of the king. The Articles of Confederation
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A group of three men authored what became known as The Federalist Papers. Authored by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. They were originally published under the pseudonym Publius. The attempt was to convince the states to ratify the new constitution. In disagreement with those that opposed a strong central government, contended that it was necessary. In Federalist 1, Alexander Hamilton explains the necessity for ratification. It states “it will therefore be of use to begin by examining the advantages of that Union, the certain evils, and the probable dangers, to which every State will be exposed from its dissolution.” Alexander Hamilton is stating to allow the passage of the new constitution to keep that nation stable, and promote a non-hostile environment. This is a departure from the events that lead up to the Articles of Confederation. In order to do this, Alexander Hamilton along with the other authors of the Federalist Papers, required a strong central government. A new union would need to find the right balance between the powers of the central government, and the state governments. In Federalist 39, James Madison states “each state, in ratifying the Constitution, is considered asa sovereign body, independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary act. In this relation, then, the new Constitution will, if established, be a federal, and not a national constitution.” A central government needed to perform certain functions. It needed to be able to be an actor for other countries. It needed to exert some control with states that were not acting amicably with other states. A fear of the Anti-Federalist was that the central government would be too powerful. As such, wanted a Bill of Rights. The debate on the Bill of Rights was a major conflict in the passing of the new constitution. The Federalist responded, saying that they did not want a
A group of three men authored what became known as The Federalist Papers. Authored by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. They were originally published under the pseudonym Publius. The attempt was to convince the states to ratify the new constitution. In disagreement with those that opposed a strong central government, contended that it was necessary. In Federalist 1, Alexander Hamilton explains the necessity for ratification. It states “it will therefore be of use to begin by examining the advantages of that Union, the certain evils, and the probable dangers, to which every State will be exposed from its dissolution.” Alexander Hamilton is stating to allow the passage of the new constitution to keep that nation stable, and promote a non-hostile environment. This is a departure from the events that lead up to the Articles of Confederation. In order to do this, Alexander Hamilton along with the other authors of the Federalist Papers, required a strong central government. A new union would need to find the right balance between the powers of the central government, and the state governments. In Federalist 39, James Madison states “each state, in ratifying the Constitution, is considered asa sovereign body, independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary act. In this relation, then, the new Constitution will, if established, be a federal, and not a national constitution.” A central government needed to perform certain functions. It needed to be able to be an actor for other countries. It needed to exert some control with states that were not acting amicably with other states. A fear of the Anti-Federalist was that the central government would be too powerful. As such, wanted a Bill of Rights. The debate on the Bill of Rights was a major conflict in the passing of the new constitution. The Federalist responded, saying that they did not want a