Constitutional Debates: How a Demand for Bill of Rights Assured Ratification in 1788

In 1788, why did several states refuse to approve the U.S. Constitution?

It did not list the rights of the people

Several states refused to approve the U.S. Constitution in 1788 because they were concerned about the concentration of power in the new federal government, which they believed would threaten individual rights and the sovereignty of the states. Some states were also dissatisfied with the lack of a Bill of Rights, which would protect individual liberties from government infringement. These concerns led to the demand for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the Constitution, which ultimately helped to ensure its ratification. There was also a fear of a strong central government, particularly among states with small populations and economies. They believed that a powerful federal government would favor larger and wealthier states, and this bias could lead to the marginalization of smaller states. The debate among states ultimately led to a compromise, resulting in the adoption of the Constitution and a set of amendments that addressed concerns about individual liberties and the role of the federal government.

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