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

2. How did the views of Federalists and Anti Federalists differ?

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

13. Ratification

14. We’re still having this debate!