OLD Ratification Notes

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

• Supporters of the Constitution

• Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote The Federalist Paper to convince others to support ratification.

• Opposed the Constitution

• Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, George Mason opposed the idea of strong national government

• Feared it created a gov’t that the people could not control - threatened their natural rights

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

• National gov’t needs to have more power, BUT will be limited to solving issues that impact the whole nation

• Ex. trade & defense

• Checks and balances included to ensure that one branch does not get too powerful

• Constitution still provides protections for states, gives specific power to states

• People will now work for the common good instead of their own/states

• Constitution does protect people’s rights enough without a BOR

• Afraid that it gives national gov’t TOO much power at the expense of state governments

• Executive branch has too much power and could become a monarchy

• Disliked that national gov’t laws are superior to the state laws [loss of state control]

• Disliked that it gives gov’t right to tax and have an army during peacetime (which could be used AGAINST the people)

• Country is too big to have a republic; can’t decided on the common good because there are too many people

• Believed that a BOR is needed to protect the rights of citizens

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

• Constitution gives more power to the national government BUT its powers are limited

• Strong executive branch = necessary for trade and defensive BUT checks + balances to prevent corruption

• Certain powers and protection still reserved for states

• Constitution gives TOO much power to the national government

• The executive branch could become monarchy - too much power

• States will lose their power and agency because federal laws will be superior to state laws

• National army could be used to suppress people 

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

• A large republic with power divided between national and state governments is the best solution

• Small republics [representative democracies] in history were destroyed by selfish groups

• Seeking own interests (not that of the people)

• Will be protected by checks and balances

• Only place where republics work are in small communities because people will share similar wealth and values

• New nation = too large/diverse

• No agreement

• National government will be too far away for active participation 

• Will lead to abuse of power and loss of natural rights  

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

• A Bill of Rights is NOT needed

• Constitution = ultimate protection because of IMPLIED rights

• People = ultimate rulers & the government has limited power

• BOR will give impression that those are people’s ONLY rights 

• A Bill of Rights IS needed to protect people from the government

• Need to have EXPRESSED and specific rights outlined  

• Ex: there is no mention of freedom of religion, speech, etc. in Constitution (rights fought for in war)

• If not listed as rights, the gov could violate them