Changes

==Ratification==

==Ratification==

An intense debate on ratification pitted the '''"Federalists"''' against the '''"Anti-Federalists,"''' with the former gaining the upper hand. The Anti-Federalists were deeply concerned about the theoretical danger of a strong central government (like that of Britain) that some day could ruin [[republicanism in the United States|republicanism]] and usurp the rights of the states.  Madison and Hamilton (joined by [[John Jay]]) countered with a series of newspaper essays, the [[Federalist Papers]], that helped New York to ratify.  All the states ratified but as a condition, the Anti-Federalists insisted on a bill of rights  which would meet most of their serious objections. The supporters of the Constitution agreed (and the [[Bill of Rights]] became part of the Constitution in 1791).  The Anti-Federalist element had never comprised an organized group, and had no national leaders. By 1791 its issues were moot; some left politics, and most joined the Jeffersonian Republican Party by 1796.  <ref>Morris ''The Forging of the Union: 1781-1789'' pp 298-322. </ref>

An intense debate on ratification pitted the '''"Federalists"''' against the '''"Anti-Federalists,"''' with the former gaining the upper hand. The Anti-Federalists were deeply concerned about the theoretical danger of a strong central government (like that of Britain) that some day could ruin [[Republicanism]] and usurp the rights of the states.  Madison and Hamilton (joined by [[John Jay]]) countered with a series of newspaper essays, the [[Federalist Papers]], that helped New York to ratify.  All the states ratified but as a condition, the Anti-Federalists insisted on a bill of rights  which would meet most of their serious objections. The supporters of the Constitution agreed (and the [[Bill of Rights]] became part of the Constitution in 1791).  The Anti-Federalist element had never comprised an organized group, and had no national leaders. By 1791 its issues were moot; some left politics, and most joined the Jeffersonian Republican Party by 1796.  <ref>Morris ''The Forging of the Union: 1781-1789'' pp 298-322. </ref>

The pro-Constitution forces, led by Washington and Hamilton, formed a new government in 1789, with Washington as president. Madison became a leader in the House, where he sponsored the Bill of Rights. Under pressure from his district he resisted moves toward a strong central government, especially those promoted by Hamilton.

The pro-Constitution forces, led by Washington and Hamilton, formed a new government in 1789, with Washington as president. Madison became a leader in the House, where he sponsored the Bill of Rights. Under pressure from his district he resisted moves toward a strong central government, especially those promoted by Hamilton.