Federalist and Antifederalist

Components added to Constitution Enumerated and Reserved Powers Powers that would specifically rest with the Federal Government Enumerate means to list If it wasn’t listed, it was denied to the Fed Gov’t and reserved for state decision Reserved powers included managing elections and education Separation of Powers 3 branch gov’t to separate the powers to avoid putting too much power in the hands of few people Ex. Legislature will make the laws but couldn’t enforce them No one branch of gov’t would control others without their approval To avoid fed gov’t taking over the power of the states Checks and Balances Each branch was empowered to stop the others from exercising too much power Ex. President can appoint assistants, advisors, judges but ONLY with the approval of Congress Avoid any part of the Fed. Gov’t from becoming too powerful

ANTI-FEDERALIST ARGUMENTS Did not support the Constitution Argued that no Federal Government could pass laws that would be suitable for all states Believed too much power was taken away from the states Anti-Federalists: Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, George Mason George Mason believed any constitution was unacceptable if it didn’t protect America’s basic rights such as: Freedom of speech Freedom of religion Trial by jury Thomas Jefferson (Federalist) agreed that a Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to

FEDERALIST ARGUMENTS Federalists supported the Constitution James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay publish essays that showed the weaknesses of the Anti-Federalist ideas “Federalist Papers” Defended why they should support the Constitution Explained the branches of government and described how each of the checks and balances would work to make government effective and prevent it from gaining too much power Fed paper #10 – Madison argues the effectiveness of Federal Government and how it caters to a diverse population which is less threatened by factions

Differences Federalists Antifederalists Supported removing some powers from the states and giving more powers to the national government Favored dividing powers among different branches Proposed a single person to lead the executive branch Wanted important political powers to remain with the states Wanted the legislative branch to have more power than the executive Feared a strong executive might become a king or tyrant Believed a bill of rights needed to be added to the Constitution to protect the people’s rights

Ratification December 1787 – 1st four states ratify the constitution January 1788 – 2 more ratified, then 1 more in February By June 1788 – 9 states ratified the constitution New York and Virginia did not cast their vote yet VA was the largest state NY would separate the US geographically George Mason wouldn’t sign until a Bill of Rights was added Bill of Rights – set of rules that defines people’s rights Massachusetts and Virginia sign, then with the pressure of the A.F. ratified the Constitution By 1790 NC and Rhode Island ratify the Constitution with the Bill of Rights added for approval