There were two main issues of the Articles of Confederation: the first was the nonexistence of central government authority. This lack of central power led to numerous issues, including states refusing to pay taxes. The other issue was the federal government had a challenge of regulating and settling disputes within states (Introduction – U.S. History, 2023). The second issue was inadequate legislative power, where it lacked the power to regulate commerce, levy taxes, or raise an army, which led to controversy during the constitutional convention.
The ratification process of the Constitution of 1787 was a lengthy and contentious process. After drafting in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, the document needed to be ratified. The delegates that were in the convention decided that the constitution will only be implemented after its approval. The enactment process began when Delaware became the first state to endorse it (Introduction – U.S. History, 2023). Over the next two years, the remaining states debated on its merits and voted on whether to sanction it. Finally, the constitution was confirmed by all thirteen states, and the new government went into effect in 1789.
The debate over the constitution was largely between two factions, the Federalists and the anti-federalists. The former supported the constitution and argued that a strong central government was necessary to protect the rights of citizens (Introduction – U.S. History, 2023). The anti-federalists opposed the constitution because according to them it would lead to a more powerful central government which will not care for the rights of citizens.
The agreement between the federalists and anti-federalists during the ratification resulted to the formation of America’s first two political parties. The leader of federalists was Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, and they initiated first political party in America (American Historical Review Home, 2023). The anti-federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, formed the second political party (Introduction – U.S. History, 2023). This marked the beginning of the two-party system in the United States.
Throughout history, American culture and society have been profoundly shaped by many historical events, including the declaration of independence, the civil war, immigration, and the civil rights movement. These events have been instrumental in forming America’s identity of resilience, optimism, and striving for equality. From the nation’s founding to the modern era, the U.S. has maintained a spirit of unity and a commitment to democracy and justice that has kept it strong.
References
Introduction – U.S. History OpenStax. (2023). Web.
American Historical Review. Home. (2023). Web.