ABSTRACT
The colonies created a formal government in 1781 through the Articles of Confederation. They gave the national government the power to wage war, conduct foreign relations, and coin money. Fear of national authority led to more power in the state legislatures, which became increasingly filled with non-elites marginalized during the colonial era. These ordinary people organized into groups of special interests eager to use the power of state government to benefit themselves and their constituents. Once complete, the document stirred up a national debate between Federalist proponents of the new Constitution and Anti-Federalists, who were opposed to the power being taken from the states. Proponents agreed to support the ratification of a series of amendments, called the Bill of Rights, intended to protect some liberties that Anti-Federalists considered not clear enough in the body of the Constitution.
