An Essay on the Constitution

After gaining independence, Americans created a unique government. Purposefully diverging from the seams of a monarchial government, Americans created a new one from the ideas of republicanism. Under the Articles of Confederation, the power was given to the states as opposed to a centralized government. However, this made it difficult to raise revenue. Without the power to tax, congress could not pay back debts. Also, needing nine out thirteen votes from the states to pass a law made it almost nearly impossible to get anything done. Additionally, lacking an executive to carry out the laws of congress made those laws easily ignored by the states. The Philadelphia convention of 1787 made radical changes in the national government by instituting a new constitution that while fixing the issues of the Articles also led to fighting between different groups, and by making compromises ultimately won ratification.

Undoubtedly, decisive changes were made in creating the new constitution due to the issues created by the articles. First, the problem with passing laws was resolved by changing the necessary votes of at least nine states to the majority vote. This was done so that passing necessary laws was more easily done. Secondly, the new government was given the right to tax. This was executed because the old government could not raise revenue to pay back debt or raise an army. Without an army, dissatisfied American land speculators could not get protection from native attacks on the west. Now, with the power to raise an army the government could prevent another “shay’s rebellion” and back itself up when negotiating treaties.

In addition, the new government was given the right to control trade. Beforehand, congress could not regulate int...

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...getting the constitution ratified. Essentially, the addition of a bill of rights in the constitution was fundamental in winning over many, including Massachusetts, as it assured the rights of citizens could never be taken away. Likewise, the federalist papers were fundamental in gaining support in different states. Also, the constitution was backed by prominent men like Madison and Washington which made it credible. Above all, was that federalists gave a solution to the problems caused by the articles, while the anti-federalist could not offer one. All things considered, ratification of the constitution was accomplished by the efforts of many prestigious men who offered solutions to conflicts between different groups. If the constitution was not ratified, then perhaps the United States would not stand strongly to-day as an advocate of democracy and balanced power.