It took so long to ratify because anti-federalist and anti-federalist states feared giving the government too much power and control. they also disagreed with the bill of rights.
The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation<span>, the first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777. However, </span>ratification<span> of the </span>Articles of Confederation<span> by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781.</span>