THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION FAIL:

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS CONVENED:
Meeting at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 55 delegates from all the states except Rhode Island, met to rework the failing Articles of Confederation. It quickly became apparent that amending the articles was unworkable and discussion soon turned to replacing them with a new government. 

Many of our greatest founding fathers attended the convention as delegates from their respective states. George Washington (elected president of the convention), Ben Franklin, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (a strong contributor and delegate from New York) all were in attendance.

Despite the greatness in leadership, the crafting of a new constitution proved a long and difficult task. Regional, political and economic differences threatened to jeopardize the process. It was only by carefully crafted compromise that a final document was achieved.

THE GREAT COMPROMISE:
One of the first issues to be resolved was representation to the new government. The Articles of Confederation had allowed each state equal representation and equal say, despite size or population and this did not sit well with the largest states (Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania). The smaller states feared losing say in the federal government and so continued to support equality in representation.

THE 3/5ths COMPROMISE:
A fundamental economic and social division began to erupt over the issue of slavery. The southern, agriculturally based states relied heavily on slavery and slaves constituted a significant portion of their populations. The northern states opposed counting slaves for representation in government because they were not citizens and their population could easily be increased, tipping control of the federal legislature to the southern states.

THE TRADE (COMMERCE) COMPROMISE:
Again a regional disagreement arose, in this case over the issue of trade and its regulation. The northern, more industrial states saw the regulation of trade by the federal government as essential to the smooth working of a national economy. The southern states feared regulation of trade would not only threaten the sale of slaves, but also the essential export of their agricultural products (chiefly cotton and tobacco).

THE PRESIDENCY COMPROMISE:
Nearly all of the delegates could agree on the need for a president, to serve as a central figure and executive of the new nation. The disagreement arose over the power and service of such an office. Some delegates, fearing the rise of king-like president advocated for a weak official, who would be limited to a single one-year term. Others argued the need for a powerful figure who would be elected, but serve for life. Debates also raged about how best to elect the president and what role the people of the nation should serve in his selection.

RATIFICATION DEBATES:
Immediately following the Constitutional Convention the delegates to Philadelphia brought the newly crafted Constitution to their home states for ratification (or approval). Most states held special ratification conventions, with elected officials representing counties or regions throughout the state. The New York ratifying convention was held in the city of Poughkeepsie.

While many of the smaller states quickly ratified the new Constitution, the debate in the two largest and most important states, New York and Virginia, raged on for months. The debate in New York was particularly divisive. The Constitutional supporters, the Federalists, took the debate into the public forum of the press, publishing a series of pro-ratification essays collectively known as the Federalist Papers. While the Federalist Papers were simply signed "Publius" they were the work of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay and they still stand today as some of the greatest commentary on the meaning and intent of the Constitution's chief authors.

The Anti-Federalist opposition to ratification was strong and while all of the states eventually accepted the new government, states such as Virginia and Massachusetts did so only after attaching recommendations concerning the addition of a Bill of Rights. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution were added soon after ratification and became the U.S. Bill of Rights and stand as the Anti-Federalists greatest contribution to the Constitution they so opposed.