What two main reasons did people oppose ratification of the Constitution?
Asked by: Dr. Meaghan King Jr. | Last update: July 4, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (26 votes)
The Anti-Federalists One faction opposed the Constitution because they thought stronger government threatened the sovereignty of the states. Others argued that a new centralized government would have all the characteristics of the despotism of Great Britain they had fought so hard to remove themselves from.
For what two reasons did people oppose ratification of the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued that the Constitution gave too much power to the federal government, while taking too much power away from state and local governments. Many felt that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen.
What were the two main reasons for opposition to the Constitution?
Those who opposed the adoption of the Constitution were known as the Antifederalists. Many feared centralized power. Many doubted the ability of Americans to sustain a continental republic. Some Antifederalists were upset that the Constitution lacked a religious test for officeholding.
Why were people opposed to ratifying the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists feared that the new Constitution gave the national government too much power. And that this new government—led by a new group of distant, out-of-touch political elites—would: Seize all political power. Swallow up the states—the governments that were closest to the people themselves.
What were 2 issues involved in the ratification debate?
Anti-Federalists argued for the value of limited central government, whereas Federalists maintained that natural rights to life, liberty, and property would be best protected under a strong central government.
RATIFICATION of the Constitution [AP Government Review, Unit 1 Topic 5]
What were the 2 most debated issues about the new Constitution?
The major debates were over representation in Congress, the powers of the president, how to elect the president (Electoral College), slave trade, and a bill of rights.
What were 2 of the issues debated at the Constitutional Convention?
When the 55 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, there were several major issues on the agenda to discuss including representation, state versus federal powers, executive power, slavery, and commerce.
What was the debate over the ratification of the Constitution?
There were two sides to the Great Debate: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. The Federalists wanted to ratify the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists did not. One of the major issues these two parties debated concerned the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
Why was the Constitution difficult to ratify?
The United States Constitution was written "to endure for ages to come" Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in the early 1800s. To ensure it would last, the framers made amending the document a difficult task.
Why did Patrick Henry oppose the Constitution?
Henry feared Constitution would give federal government too much power.
What were the 3 major reasons against the Constitution?
- the excessive power of the national government at the expense of the state government;
- the disguised monarchic powers of the president;
- apprehensions about a federal court system and its control over the states;
What are the two competing views of the Constitution?
Competing Views of Government in the Constitution
Federalism emphasized a strong central government with limited powers granted to the states, while anti-federalism favored a weaker central government and believed in the importance of states' rights.
What were the two weaknesses of the Constitution?
With the passage of time, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation became apparent; Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power. Congress could not raise funds, regulate trade, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement of the states.
What was the major argument of those who opposed ratification?
The Supremacy Clause generated significant controversy during debates over the Constitution's ratification. Anti-Federalist opponents of the Constitution argued that the Clause would make the national government overly powerful and infringe on state sovereignty.
Which states opposed the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists were strong in the key states of Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. In North Carolina and Rhode Island they prevented ratification of the Constitution until after the new government had been established.
What were two major arguments by Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the shape of government and how did these debates influence the final form of the Constitution?
The Federalists contended that a stronger central government would provide a solid base from which New York could grow and prosper. The anti-Federalists clamored for a bill of rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments.
What were the 2 main problems with ratifying the Constitution?
Several arguments were voiced repeatedly during the ratification debates: That the Convention had exceeded its authority in producing a new Constitution; That the Constitution established the basis for a monarchical regime; That the Constitution lacked explicit protections for individual and states rights.
What was the biggest obstacle to ratifying the Constitution?
what would be the biggest obstacle to ratifying the new constitution, if they were bound by the amendment rules of the articles of confederation? Unanimous consent of the state legislatures was needed.
What was a major obstacle to the ratification of the Constitution?
The most significant obstacle that the Founding Fathers faced when trying to ratify the Constitution was the lack of a Bill of Rights. Many opponents, especially in key states like New York and Virginia, were concerned that the new federal government would infringe upon individual liberties.
Who were the main opponents of ratification of the Constitution?
The main opponents of the ratification of the Constitution were the Anti-Federalists, who feared a powerful national government that could lead to tyranny and advocated for stronger state rights. Prominent Anti-Federalists included Patrick Henry and James Monroe.
Why did the Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution?
The Anti-federalists opposed the ratification of the new Constitution because they believed it would give far too much power to the Central (Federal) Government. They believed the states should remain autonomous. Therefore, the answer is B. "They believed it would create an autocratic federal government."
What were some of the major points of disagreement during the ratification of the Constitution?
Final answer: The ratification of the Constitution saw major disagreements on preventing tyranny, amending the Constitution, and the limits on government power. Additionally, debates arose on how representation should be handled in the new government framework.
Why did so many states hesitate to ratify the Constitution?
Final answer: Many states hesitated to ratify the Constitution due to concerns about civil liberties, the creation of the role of president, and the threat to the practice of slavery.
What were the 2 biggest issues during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
The most divisive of those issues—those involving the apportionment of representation in the national legislature, the powers and mode of election of the chief executive, and the place of the institution of slavery in the new continental body politic—would change in fundamental ways the shape of the document that would ...
What was the nickname for the Connecticut plan?
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman Compromise, was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.