More specifically;
Today the US Constitution is, by all right, viewed by Americans as almost religious. It's a document of incredible importance, and something that all Americans will identify with and stand proud of.
But how was it back in 1787-1788 and on? Was it received with as much praise and positivity back then, or was it met with scepticism, etc?
Of course the reception would vary depending on if you had slaves or not and similar points, but the Consitution was still, when it comes down to it, a set of compromises. But overall, what was the reception like, and how did it develop with the Bill of Rights and further amendments?
If you have them, further sources of reading that are credible would be very interesting! As a European, this whole chain of events is slightly foreign, and I'd love to learn more.
Thanks!
During the ratification debates (it had to be accepted by at least 9/13 states to take effect), those who supported the Constitution were called Federalists and the opponents anti-Federalists. One of the anti-Federalist objections was the lack of a Bill of Rights, which led Madison to propose twelve amendments as a Bill of Rights to appease their concerns. (Ten would pass, and 200 years later one of the others became the 27th). The biggest hotbed of Anti-Federalism was Rhode Island, which didn't sign on until after the Constitution went into effect.
To popularize the Federalist cause, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison published a series of articles named the Federalist Papers that laid out the case for the Constitution and why it is the way it is.