The Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The point of the event was to decide how America was going to be governed. Although the Convention had been officially called to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, many delegates had much bigger plans. A convention of delegates from all the states except Rhode Island met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in May of 1787. Known as the Constitutional Convention, at this meeting it was decided that the best solution to the young country's problems was to set aside the Articles of Confederation and write a new constitution. One of the great debates in American history was over the ratification of the Constitution in 1787-1788. Today, it is easy to accept that the prevailing side was right and claim that, had you been alive, you would have certainly supported ratifying the Constitution. Those who supported the Constitution and a national republic were known as Federalists. Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in favor of small localized government were known as Anti-Federalists. They believed the Constitution created a presidency so powerful that it would become a monarchy. They thought the Constitution provided insufficient rights in the courts ( no guarantee of juries in civil cases, nor that criminal case juries be local) and would create an out-of-control judiciary. Many Anti-Federalists preferred a weak central government because they equated a strong government with British tyranny. They felt that the states were giving up too much power to the new federal government. Another objection was the lack of guarantees of individual rights in the Constitution as it then stood.
Explanation:
