Final answer:
The ratification of the U.S. Constitution significantly transformed the federal government, establishing a stronger central authority while also adding the Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and state sovereignty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ratification of the United States Constitution marked a significant transformation in the function of the federal government from 1776 to 1800. The new Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had created a loose confederation of states with a weak central government. The Constitution established a stronger federal government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and provide for national defense, among other powers.
During the ratification debates, Federalists advocated for a strong central government while Anti-Federalists feared that such a government could become tyrannical. The compromise that led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights was crucial in assuaging fears about the potential for abuse of federal power. The Federalist Era saw the government taking an active role in domestic and foreign affairs, as well as issuing the first ten amendments that guaranteed individual liberties.
Overall, the Constitution fostered a change that shifted the balance of power towards the federal government while also establishing mechanisms to protect states' rights and individual freedoms. This period laid the groundwork for how the federal government would operate and its relationship with the states and the citizenry.