The major points of disagreement during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution centered on several key issues:

• Representation in Congress: Larger states supported representation based on population (Virginia Plan), while smaller states wanted equal representation regardless of size (New Jersey Plan). This was resolved by the Great Compromise, creating a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate

• Slavery and Representation: Southern states wanted slaves counted fully for representation to increase their political power, while Northern states opposed this since slaves were not considered citizens. The Three-Fifths Compromise counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation

• Power of the Federal Government: Federalists favored a strong central government with powers to tax, maintain an army, and enforce laws over states. Anti-Federalists feared this would lead to tyranny, infringe on states' rights, and threaten individual liberties. This debate influenced the eventual inclusion of the Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms and limit federal power

• Bill of Rights: Anti-Federalists insisted on a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties, arguing the Constitution lacked explicit protections. Federalists initially opposed this, believing the Constitution limited government powers sufficiently. The compromise to add the Bill of Rights was crucial for securing ratification in several states

• Fear of Centralized Authority: Many Anti-Federalists worried that the new government would be distant and unresponsive to ordinary citizens, concentrating power away from local and state governments, which they saw as closer to the people

These disagreements reflected deep ideological divides over federalism, representation, slavery, and civil liberties, shaping the Constitution and American political development.