Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Introduction

• Discussion about the balance between government power and individual rights.
• Both groups initially called themselves Federalists.
• Winners wrote history, leading to the term 'Anti-Federalists'.

Anti-Federalists

• Opposed the US Constitution.
• Preferred power at the state level, similar to the Articles of Confederation.
• Key Concerns:
  • Fear of too powerful a federal government restricting liberties.
  • States' rights being trampled and responsibilities taken over by the federal government.
  • Heavy taxation by the federal government.
  • Supreme Court overruling state courts.
  • President maintaining a large standing army.
• Proposed Changes:
  • Addition of a Bill of Rights to limit federal power and protect individual liberties.
  • Explicit limitations on governmental power.
  • Elimination of Congress’s power to tax.

Federalists

• Supported the new Constitution and a stronger central government.
• Argued a larger republic would better control factions and protect minority rights.

Bill of Rights

• Anti-Federalists succeeded in adding the Bill of Rights.
• Refers to the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
• Does not give freedoms but restricts the federal government from taking away freedoms.

Arguments Against a Bill of Rights

• Delegates were exhausted and ready to go home.
• Constitution supposedly did not give Congress power to restrict rights.
• States already had bills of rights, negating need for a federal one.
• Hamilton's Argument: A Bill of Rights might paradoxically allow Congress to limit rights.

Key Documents

• Brutus Number One: Anti-Federalist paper warning against a powerful central government.
• Federalist Number 10: Advocates for a stronger federal government to control factions and protect minority rights.

Conclusion

• Federalists and Anti-Federalists debate remains essential in understanding the balance of power between state and federal governments.
• Importance of the Bill of Rights in limiting federal authority and protecting individual freedoms.