Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

What were some key ideas of the Anti-Federalist party?

- argued against the expansion of national power - favored small localized governments with limited national authority (as exercised in the Articles of Confederation) - a government was only possible on the state level and would not work on the national level - only a federation of the individual states could protect the nation's liberty and freedom - feared that without a bill of rights, the Constitution would not be able to sufficiently protect the rights of individuals and the states - STATE bank

What were some key ideas of the Federalist party?

- stronger central government was needed to protect the nation from domestic unrest and foreign invasion - separation of powers would prevent any one branch from becoming too strong - did NOT feel that a bill of rights was necessary for the Constitution to protect the rights of the people (Hamilton feared that such a list would later be interpreted as a list of the only rights that people had) - NATIONAL bank

Who were the most important figures of the Federalist party?

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison

Which party was against the Constitution?

Anti-Federalists

In response to Hamilton's Federalist Papers, Anti-Federalists like Thomas Jefferson wrote a series of essays designed to encourage New Yorkers to reject the proposed Constitution. These essays were written under a pen name. What was that pen name?

Brutus

Which party supported the Constitution?

Federalists

Describe the differences between the Federalists & Anti-Federalists.

Federalists believe that a strong central government was necessary for protection of US citizens compared to the Anti-Federalists who believe government should stay separated to states. The Federalists also believe that the Bill of Rights wouldn't need to be written for people's rights to be protected whereas the Anti-Federalists think it is necessary.

How did Alexander Hamilton convince people to ratify the new Constitution?

He wrote the Federalist Papers, a series of essays in favor of the ratification of the Constitution.

How were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists different with their views on if a Bill of Rights is needed?

The Federalists believe a Bill of Rights is unnecessary and possibly dangerous by all citizens' framing rights in just a list of a few. The Anti-Federalists believe a Bill of Rights is necessary to guarantee that all citizens have rights that can't be argued.

How were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists different with their views on how people should be represented in government?

The Federalists believe that people should be represented in smaller percentages than their whole population. The Anti-Federalists believe that all people, no matter their socioeconomic class, should be equally represented in government.

Who were the most important figures of the Anti-Federalist party?

Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry

True or False: The Anti-Federalists were not as organized as the Federalists.

True