Final answer:
Before federalism, the United States government operated under the Articles of Confederation, which created a confederation-style government. The central government was weak and limited in its authority, with the states holding significant power. During the Constitutional Convention, a new Constitution was created, establishing a government that was both national and federal, recognizing the individual states while also granting more powers to the central government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the ratification of the Constitution, the United States government operated under the Articles of Confederation, which created a confederation-style government. This meant that the states held a significant amount of power, while the national government was weak and limited in its authority. The central government lacked essential powers like the ability to collect taxes, regulate commerce, and enforce its laws. This led to challenges in dealing with issues such as servicing the war debt, negotiating with foreign countries, and maintaining a common currency.
Recognizing the limitations of the confederation-type government, delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787 for the Constitutional Convention. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation and create a stronger central government. The new U.S. Constitution that emerged from this convention established a government that was both national and federal. It granted expanded powers to the central government while recognizing the enduring existence of the individual states. This system, known as federalism, divided power between the states and the national government, allowing for a delicate balance of authority.
The Federalists, who supported the new Constitution, believed that it maintained the federal nature of the government by striking a balance of powers between the national government and the states. The Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, argued that the Constitution tilted towards a national (unitary) government and undermined the states' autonomy. However, the delegates to the ratifying conventions were citizens of their respective states and directly participated in the ratification process, reinforcing the federal nature of the proposed government.