Foundations of American Democracy

It provided too much power to the states.

It lacked a Bill of Rights.

It did not address Native American rights.

It embraced monarchy over democracy.

State boundaries become irrelevant for trade purposes due to overarching federal legislation guiding interstate commerce exclusively.

Interstate commerce could be managed by mutual agreements between sovereign states without centralized enforcement authority.

Centralized courts resolve disputes regarding interstate trade, upholding uniform laws enacted by individual sovereign entities.

A strong central body similar to today’s Congress would regulate commerce uniformly across all member states.

Debates might focus on legislative supremacy and methods of selecting an executive tied to parliament's confidence.

The creation of a Bill of Rights would gain priority over discussions relating to executive appointments.

Discussions on executive powers would emphasize direct electoral processes for all government officials.

Executive power would still center around a single figure elected independently from legislative influence.

Anti-Federalists

Constitutionalists

Abolitionists

Reservationists

It encourages direct democracy.

It provides a compromise between popular vote and congressional decision.

It guarantees third-party success.

It abolishes gerrymandering.

New York was the only state that hadn't approved it yet.

Its approval ensured broader acceptance and credibility due to its economic and political significance at that time.

Without New York's approval, the constitution would have been invalid.

New York held most military power among states during that period.

The Anti-Federalists would have gained more support and prevented ratification.

The ratification might have faced greater opposition and taken longer due to lack of widespread understanding and support for the Constitution.

The ratification would have occurred quickly and without any opposition.

The Constitution would not have been ratified at all without these papers.

It promotes economic equality among citizens.

It dictates foreign policy strategies.

It mandates compulsory military service.

It protects individual liberties from infringement by government actions.

The Constitution concentrates all power in the hands of the President.

The Constitution gives states full autonomy, limiting power of the federal government.

The Constitution establishes federalism with the federal and state governments sharing powers

The Constitution gives power solely to federal government and strips states of power

Fear that direct taxation by Congress would replace state-imposed taxes entirely.

The possibility of abolishing slavery by federal authorities under the new constitution.

An imbalance in representation favoring smaller states in legislative matters.

Lack of explicit protections for civil liberties in the original document.