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

2. THE DEBATE BEGINS
Ratification: The U.S. Constitution states that 9 states must ratify a document for it to become the official law of the land.
Federalists argue that a federal government would maintain state unity. States without a strong government would lead to competition over land and commerce and there would be no state unity for the common defense of the United States.
Anti-Federalists feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual liberties. Supported a Bill of Rights.

3. THE FEDERALIST PAPERS
John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison will write 85 essays
It is political propaganda and explains American political thought of the day
It is written to appeal to the Anti-Federalists that it is important to ratify the U.S. Constitution

4. THE FEDERALIST PAPERS
The essays will be written under the fake name of Pulbius
Alexander Hamilton will write most of the essays and they will be published in newspapers
Hamilton believes that the Articles of Confederation will lead to anarchy

5. 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.

6. FEDERALIST #10
Madison argues that our nation is large with many groups who would keep each other in check and would prevent certain groups from being in power
Creditors and debtors, rich and poor, merchants and land owners

7. FEDERALIST #15
Hamilton points out the Articles of Confederation has many weaknesses
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

8. FEDERALIST #51
Madison explains the system of “checks and balances”, each branch has powers that limits the influence of the other branches of government
Federal Judges are appointed for life to be free from political pressure

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. The Federalist and Anti-Federalist
Federalists are 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

14. 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

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