Federalist v Anti-Federalists

"This government is to possess power, legislative, executive and judicial...It is declared 'that the Congress shall have power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper'...from [this] there is no need of any intervention of the state governments...and that the Constitution and laws of every state are nullified and void...."

Anti-Federalists

A Bill of Rights is needed before the new Constitution can be approved

Anti-Federalists

The powers of the state must be limited in favor of a central government with greater powers

Federalists

"The proposed Constitution, far from abolishing state governments, makes them an essential part of the national government by allowing them a direct representation in the Senate, and leaved in their possession certain important government powers"

Federalists

We fear the central government will use its power to oppress the people

Anti-Federalists

They argued that separation among the three government branches would protect against abuse

Federalists

They claimed the Constitution lacks a Bill of Rights to protect the people's rights and liberties

Federalists

They said the nation was too vast to be governed effectively by a single government

Anti-Federalists

They argued that there is a lack of safeguards, to protect against governmental abuse

Anti-Federalists

It is the opinion of the great writers, that a very extensive country cannot be government on democratic principles, on any other plan than a confederation of several small republics, possessing all the powers of government, but united in the management of their foreign and general concerns.

Anti-Federalists

"A strong national government with power over the states is needed to protect the states from excessive competition and fighting with one another. Let the thirteen states, bound together in a permanent Union, agree in erecting one great American system, superior to the control of all foreign influence."

Federalists

The "necessary and proper clause" gives Congress the power to pass any laws that it feels are needed. We feared this blanket power would permit the national government to pass any tax and make all laws it felt were needed.

Anti-Federalists

There was not reason to fear a strong central government against the people. The Constitution provides that government power to be divided between the states and central government

Federalists