The ratification of United States constitution was marred with a tag of war between the federalists and non federalists. The federalists are believed to be instrumental in the shaping of the new US constitution. However the introduction of the constitution did not augur well with the anti- federalists who ion their side felt that the constitution strengthened the government at the expense of the states and the people (Bradburn, 2012).  The anti federalists were against the ratification of the constitution which required passing in nine out of the thirteen states.

The two groups differed on several issues of national importance and each group strived to ensure that they carried the day. For instance, the anti-federalists advocated for power in the states rather than to the central government. This was contrary to the federalists who wanted a strong central government. Anti-federalists strongly believed that a strong central government would be disastrous to the public especially as they would bear heavy taxation burden (Boonshoft, 2012). Another area of contention in the ratification of the constitution involved the bill of rights. The federalists were very much against this concept while the anti-federalists were strong advocates of this clause in the constitution. The anti –federalists were great crusaders of human rights and thought that strong bill of rights would help guard the interest of the people from insults by the government. Anti-federalists thought that ratification of a constitution short of bill of rights would put individual liberties at stake.

It is worth realizing that most federalists were wealthy and well educated while the anti-federalists were mainly poor peasants. The virtue if being educated allowed the federalists to be more organized and thus they controlled elections in most states. The federalists thought that through ratification of the constitution, United States would gain respect from other countries especially from the colonies. They also believed that this was the only way that a just society would be realized where people could have their right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The federalists advocated for the ratification of the constitution and believed that if there were some sections that did not work, they would always be amended (Bouton, 2014). However, this stand was strongly opposed by the anti-federalists who believed that the constitution offered the central government so much power at the expense of the states and the people.

Federalists won

As aforementioned, the federalists were wealthy and educated individuals who controlled elections in the major states and this brought about ratification of the constitution. Despite the strong opposition from the anti0-fedralists who did not want a constitution that did not include bill of rights, the federalist papers worked to their advantage. This being the weakest point of the constitution was tirelessly defended with assurances that such areas would always be amended. They also convinced the anti-federalists that the constitution provided checks and balances that would prevent the central government from misusing its constitutional powers (Van Cleve, 2014). The federalists can be declared winners in the ratification battle since they were able to convince at least nine states to ratify the constitution a necessary criteria to the adoption of the new constitution.

Anti-federalists won

Although the ratification of the constitution was accomplished against the wish of many anti-federalists, it is worth noting that some of their major concerns were later addressed. Despite being poor and un-educated, it is worth understanding that some f their concerns were of great importance to the modern United states. Their first ad major victory is evident in forcing the first congress under the new constitution to establish the bill of rights. Anti-federalists had a firm believe that individual liberties could be at risk if the bill of rights is not encompassed in the constitution. The victory was even sweeter since the introduction of bill of rights in the constitution was brought about by the federalists.

Conclusion

The debate on who won between the federalists and anti-federalists is a sensitive subject to scholars and American history. However, it is imperative understanding that their contribution to the current form of governance in United States is immense. At the end of the day, both the federalists and anti-federalists can be declared as proud winners since it is through their efforts that United States was able to ratify their first constitution. Both the federalists and anti-federalists had strong points regarding the constitution and all these issues have been realized even after the ratification of the constitution. Eventually, both the federalists and anti-federalists are in agreement with some critical aspects such as the inclusion of bill of rights in the constitution (Bradburn, 2012). No wonder a federalists James Madison presented the bill of rights to the congress despite his former stance on this issue. In conclusion, the disagreement between the federalists and non-federalists was just a foundation of great democracy currently present in the United States politics.

References

Boonshoft, M. (2012). Doughfaces at the Founding: Federalists, Anti-Federalists, Slavery, and the Ratification of the Constitution in New York. New York History, 93(3), 187. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/newyorkhist.93.3.187

Bouton, T. (2014). Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787–1788 by Pauline Maier. Journal Of The Early Republic, 34(4), 674-677. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/jer.2014.0077

Bradburn, D. (2012). Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788. Journal Of American History, 98(4), 1150-1151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jar627

Grofman, B., & Wittman, D. (2007). The Federalist Papers and the new institutionalism. New York: Agathon Press.

Van Cleve, G. (2014). The Anti-Federalists’ Toughest Challenge: Paper Money, Debt Relief, and the Ratification of the Constitution. Journal Of The Early Republic, 34(4), 529-560. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/jer.2014.0063

Do you need an Original High Quality Academic Custom Essay?