Federalists vs Anti Federalist

A comprehensive overview of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates surrounding the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Federalists, including figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, advocated for a stronger national government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, arguing that a large republic would control the negative effects of factions, as discussed in Federalist Nos. 10 and 51. Conversely, Anti-Federalists, such as Patrick Henry and George Mason, opposed the Constitution, fearing that excessive federal power would lead to tyranny and undermine state authority, as exemplified by Mason's objections and the writings of "Brutus" who worried about the lack of representation in a large republic. A key point of contention was the absence of a Bill of Rights, which the Anti-Federalists demanded to safeguard individual liberties, although Federalists like Hamilton also defended core government structures such as a vigorous, unitary executive in Federalist No. 70 and an independent judiciary with judicial review in Federalist No. 78. Socially, Federalists tended to be wealthier, more educated, and lived in urban areas, while Anti-Federalists were often small farmers residing in rural areas. ‪@HailMaryHistory‬ #history #americanrevolution #government