Compare and Contrast Federalists Vs.Anti Federalists

Compare and Contrast Federalists vs. Antifederalists

?The creation of the Constitution was a product of hours of debate and compromise that always seemed to leave someone unhappy. To ratify the constitution, every state had to agree to it, and when the delegates seemed to disagree on several fundamental issues, two different political groups began to develop. The federalists were made up mostly of well-educated and propertied class while the antifederalists were, for the most part, the poorer backcountry farmers and the ill-educated. The federalists and antifederalists opposed on two fundamental questions including a strong central government and the bill of rights, but were able to settle differences and ratify the constitution in 1789.

?A major disagreement between the federalists and antifederalists was the issue of whether or not a strong central government would benefit their newly founded country best. Federalists favored a strong central government for several reasons. They felt the Articles of Confederation were ineffectual as a governing document because it gave the states too much power, therefore limiting congress to gaining very little control and cooperation from the states. A strong central government would allow the power necessary to tax and enforce the laws. They argued that limiting states powers would be the best route because the senate, which contains two representatives per state, adequately represented states' interests. The antifederalists admitted that the Articles did need amending but should not be abandoned. They opposed a strong central government because they worried the states would lose influence with the growth in the national government's power and felt that only a small republic could protect their rights. Alexander Hamilton addresses this fear, stating; "Among the most formidable of the obstacles which the new Constitution will have to encounter may readily be distinguished the obvious interest of a certain class of men in every State to resist all changes which may hazard a diminution of the power, emolument, and consequence of the offices they hold under the State establishments." (The Federalist) They feared the consequences of a strong national government because of their experience with Great Britain and strongly supported the power and influence of the states.

?Another topic disagreed upon by the federalists and antifederalists was the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. Antifederalists strongly felt it was necessary to include a Bill of Rights to declare and protect the rights of the people. They aimed to prevent the government becoming a tyranny; "To these may be added in a bill of rights some particular engagements of protection, on the part of government, without such a bill of rights, firmly securing the privileges of the subject, the government is always in danger of degenerating into tyranny." (Federalists and Antifederalists) Federalists felt that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary because it