Federalists, Antifederalists, the Bill of Rights

What features of the Constitution did the Antifederalists not like?

Antifederalists thought that the Constitution gave the national government too much power, and left the states in a weaker position.

In 1788, Patrick Henry said "The Constitution is said to have beautiful features, but...they appear to me horribly frightful....Your president may easily become king....If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it for him to render himself absolute!" In what way do Henry's words show an Antifederalist point of view?

Henry's words illustrate the Antifederalist point of view that a strong federal government, including any of its branches, would eventually cause the government to become too powerful. Antifederalists feared the Constitution gave the central government, especially the president, too much power that was likely to be abused.

What was the main difference between the Federalists and Antifederalists?

The Federalists supported the Constitution and wanted a stronger national government. The Antifederalists opposed the Constitution because they wanted more power to remain with the states.

What were two key purposes of the first 10 amendments?

Some were intended to prevent the kind of abuse Americans had suffered under English rule. Others protected individual rights as many states had already done.

Antifederalists

They called people who opposed the Constitution Antifederalists. They argued that the Constitution made the national government too strong and left the states too weak. They also thought that the Constitution gave the president too much power. They believed that most functions of government were best handled by the individual states. One of their big objections was that the Constitution had no bill or list of rights.

What was a major objection to the Constitution by the Antifederalists?

They objected to the Constitution because it did not include a bill of rights.

Federalist Papers

a series of essays by Federalists James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of ratifying the Constitution

Who led the opposition to ratification?

in Virginia, Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Governor Edmund Randolph

Federalists

supporters of a strong central government

amend

to change

ratify

to give official approval

What changed Governor Randolph's mind?

Federalists promised to support a bill of rights.

How was the Constitution finally ratified?

Several states ratified the Constitution initially, but nine had to agree to it before it went into effect. A few larger states refused to ratify it because it lacked a bill of rights. After much debate, Federalists finally agreed to support an amended bill of rights as one of the first orders of business of the new government. The Constitution went into effect when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify. The influential states of New York and Virginia ratified it soon afterward.

Why did the Antifederalists feel strongly that a bill of rights was absolutely necessary and why did the Federalists disagree?

Federalists thought it was impossible to list every right of a citizen. Antifederalists insisted that a bill was needed to protect basic liberties and unless they were spelled out, people couldn't be protected.

What was the main cause behind ratification?

Federalists were able to convince a majority of delegates that the Constitution would bring an improved system of government.