The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held to address problems in the United States government operating under the Articles of Confederation since its independence from Great Britain. Fifty-five state delegates attended the convention to address these issues. The delegates consisted of Federalists who wanted a strong central government to maintain order and were mainly wealthier merchants and plantation owners and Anti-Federalists who were farmers, merchants and local politicians who feared losing their power and believed that it should be given more power to the states. The Constitutional Convention addressed the issue of the debate between federalists and anti-federalists. Debates, discussions, and compromises between those who supported a strong central government and those who favored greater power for the states led to the creation of the United States Constitution which granted specific powers to the government and, later, the Bill of Rights which protected the rights of states and individuals. A battle broke out between federalists and anti-federalists over the creation of a national bank. Since the newly adapted Constitution gave the government the power to levy and collect taxes and create a national commercial policy, Alexander Hamilton's opinion on the constitutionality of a law to charter a bank was that the bank would afford the government a means of regulating the foreign trade. countries and act as a tax depository. Opponents argued that the Constitution did not give the government the power to charter a bank and was, therefore, unconstitutional. Hamilton argued that, since it was not specifically prohibited by the Constitution, establishing a paper revision of the Constitution on the grounds that a strong federal government would abuse power and lead to corruption. . They used the pseudonyms "Brutus" and "A Federal Farmer" to remain anonymous. The Federalists won the battle for ratification, but the Anti-Federalists succeeded in getting the Bill of Rights adopted in 1791. The debates, discussions, and final compromises reached during and after the Constitutional Convention of 1787 led to the creation of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights that have governed our great nation for over 200 years. But the debates and discussions between those who favor strong government and those who favor more power for the states did not end with the ratification of the Constitution. They have continued over the years and can be seen in the healthcare controversy currently being discussed.