The Federalist and Anti-Federalist The Voices of Reason Persuasion and Advantages

How did the views of Federalists and Anti Federalists differ?

DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW Federalists argued for Wanted a strong national government Three branches of government filled with men of “reputation” Wanted a president to lead executive branch No Bill of Rights Antifederalists argued States should have power Wanted legislative branch to be strongest branch of government Feared a strong president in office A Bill of Rights would protect the rights of Americans

The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Federalists supported the Constitution and tended to be supported by merchants and urban areas Anti-Federalist did not want the Constitution passed and are supported by small farmers and rural settlers

Anti-federalists Most Anti Federalists felt that the creation of a strong central government was a direct betrayal of the Revolution itself

The Federalists Papers John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers to get support for the Constitution. Papers addressed issues such as representation, rights of individuals and majority rule. The Anti-Federalists respond in the “Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention”, which argued the fear of a strong executive branch and the absence of a Bill of Rights.

JAMES MADISON Writes The Federalist papers because he supports a strong central government Writes the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

ALEXANDER HAMILTON Alexander Hamilton a lawyer co-writes several The Federalist essays Supports a strong national government and ratification of the Constitution

Patrick Henry Active leader during the Revolution who demanded that the British “give me liberty, or give me death!" He is against the Constitution because it reduced states rights and had no Bill of Rights

George Mason Anti-Federalist, a Virginian Plantation owner Wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights which becomes the model for the Bill of Rights He refused to sign the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was included

An Unfair Advantage? The Federalists publish their essays (The Federalist Papers) in New York newspapers and pamphlets in 1787-1789 Newspapers support the Federalist side and publish more Federalist writings than Anti-Federalist writings!

Bill of Rights - The Really Brief Version 1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. 2. Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia. 3. No quartering of soldiers. 4. Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. 5. Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy. 6. Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial. 7. Right of trial by jury in civil cases. 8. Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments. 9. Other rights of the people. 10. Powers reserved to the states.

Ratification

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