What was the biggest obstacle to ratifying the Constitution?

Asked by: Gennaro Lindgren  |  Last update: December 6, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (6 votes)

The biggest obstacle to ratifying the Constitution was the lack of a Bill of Rights, which raised concerns about potential federal overreach and the protection of individual liberties. Key figures refused to sign the document due to this issue, leading the Federalists to promise an amendment to address these concerns.

What was the biggest challenge in getting the Constitution ratified?

The Anti-Federalists fought hard against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown, and it lacked a bill of rights. The ratification campaign was a nail-biter.

What would be 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 the biggest obstacle in getting the Constitution ratified?

The greatest challenge is persuading the Anti-Federalists to support the Constitution's ratification. A bill of rights was the primary demand of the anti-federalists, but it wasn't granted until much later.

What was the greatest barrier to ratifying the Constitution?

Final answer: The primary barrier to ratifying the Constitution was the lack of a formal Bill of Rights. Several large states and Anti-Federalists felt it threatened individual rights and liberties. Ratification ultimately occurred after promises were made to add a Bill of Rights.

Challenges to Ratification of the Constitution, by Professor John Kaminski

21 related questions found

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.

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.

What was the main argument against ratification of the Constitution?

The Anti-Federalists's opposition to ratifying the Constitution was a powerful force in the origin of the Bill of Rights to protect Americans' civil liberties. The Anti-Federalists were chiefly concerned with too much power invested in the national government at the expense of states.

What were the biggest obstacles delegates faced when getting the Constitution approved?

A central issue at the Convention was whether the federal government or the states would have more power. Many delegates believed that the federal government should be able to overrule state laws, but others feared that a strong federal government would oppress their citizens.

What was the biggest challenge of the Constitutional Convention?

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 threatened the ratification of the Constitution?

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.

What issue slowed down the ratification of the Constitution?

But then the ratification process slowed down as the Anti-Federalists, who feared a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights, bitterly fought the Constitution's ratification at state conventions.

Why was ratifying the Articles of Confederation so difficult?

When Congress reconvened in June of 1778, the delegates learned that Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey refused to ratify the Articles. The Articles required unanimous approval from the states. These smaller states wanted other states to relinquish their western land claims before they would ratify the Articles.

Why did it take so long to ratify the Constitution?

Why did the Constitution take so long ratify? The length of time it took for ratification emphasizes the deeply held difference of opinion over the new constitution and the strong national government independent of the Constitution's states.

What was the biggest challenge in writing the Constitution?

The major challenge that the framers faced when setting out to write the Constitution was to create a document and a system of government that could be inclusive of all of the perspectives and viewpoints of the delegates and states involved in the convention.

Which compromises solved the biggest challenges to ratifying the Constitution?

The Great Compromise determined that there would be two houses in the legislative branch, that there would be proportional representation in one house, and that there would be equal representation in the other house. The Great Compromise convinced both large and small states to ratify the Constitution.

Which of the following was a major obstacle to the ratification of the Constitution?

One main obstacle to the ratification of the Constitution was the number of representatives each state would have in Congress. For the Constitution to be the law, it had to be ratified by the President.

What were 3 major issues and solutions reached at the Constitutional Convention?

Expert-Verified Answer

The major issues at the Constitutional Convention included representation, federalism, and slavery. Solutions reached included the Great Compromise for legislative representation, the establishment of federalism, and the Three-Fifths Compromise for counting slaves.

What were the most important objections to ratification of the Constitution?

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.

What was the main argument against ratification of the Constitution brainly?

Final answer:

The Anti-Federalists had several arguments against the ratification of the Constitution, including concerns about an overly powerful national government, the absence of a bill of rights, and inadequate protection for the rights of individual states.

Why did so many people oppose ratification of the Constitution and how was their opposition partly overcome?

Anti-Federalists objected to the power the Constitution gave the federal government and the absence of a bill of rights to protect individual liberties. The Federalists countered that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation and promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution.

What were the arguments against the 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 challenges were faced in ratifying the Constitution?

The Constitutional Convention, presided over by George Washington, was marked by vigorous debate and compromise. Key issues included the structure of the legislative branch, the balance of power between large and small states, and the contentious question of slavery.

What was the biggest complaint or barrier to ratifying the Constitution?

Which complaint was the greatest barrier to ratifying the Constitution? The complaint that was a greater barrier to ratify the constitution was that it didn't have a Bill of Rights.