The document summarizes the debate around ratifying the US Constitution between Federalists and Antifederalists. Antifederalists opposed ratifying the Constitution as they felt it gave too much power to the central government and did not protect individual liberties. Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution as they felt it provided a stronger national government and balanced state and federal power well. The Constitution was eventually ratified after nine states approved it, going into effect in 1788. However, Antifederalists' demands for a Bill of Rights were later addressed when James Madison proposed a set of amendments protecting civil liberties that were ratified in 1791.