Federalists -vs- Anti-Federalists Notes
Who were
they?
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Federalists were FOR the
Constitution.
Antifederalists were
AGAINST the Constitution
Main Idea
What was -Supported ratifying the
Constitution
their
Point of -Favored a stronger national
government
View?
Who were
the
Leaders?
-Opposed ratifying the
Constitution
-Favored stronger state
governments
-Favored 3 branches of govt.
(each branch with EQUAL power)
-Favored a 1 person executive
(aka a president)
-Favored separation of powers;
checks & balances to prevent
government abuse of power
-Federalism reserved rights for
states
-Said the Constitution did NOT
need a Bill of Rights because there
would be limited government
-Favored 3 branches of govt.
(wanted the Legislative branch
to be the most powerful)
-Opposed a 1 person executive.
They feared a president would
be just like another king.
-Believed the nation was too
large & diverse to agree.
-Favored States’ Rights
-Insisted on having a Bill of
Rights to protect their rights
Alexander Hamilton
*Patrick Henry*
James Madison
John Hancock
John Jay
(The 3 men above wrote the
Federalists Papers)
Samuel Adams
George Washington
Edmund Randolf
George Mason
Proposed the
Virginia Plan
James Madison
Wrote the
Bill of Rights
“Father of the Constitution”
Helped write the
“Federalist Papers”
Came up with a plan
for ratification
Each state must hold a
ratifying convention. 9 states
must ratify to become law.
Vocabulary
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Ratify- to formally approve/accept
Ratifying Conventions- meetings held in each state for the sole purpose of approving the
Constitution. Delegates to each state convention were elected by a popular vote of the people.
The Federalist Papers- a series of essays defending & explaining the Constitution
Federalist- someone who was for ratification of the Constitution
Anti-Federalist- someone who was against ratification of the Constitution
Federalists
 Supported ratification of the
Constitution
 Favored a stronger national
government
 Felt a Bill of Rights was NOT
necessary
 Wanted 3 branches of
government with EQUAL
power
 Favored a 1 person executive
(a.k.a. a president)
 Alexander Hamilton, James
Madison, & John Jay
Both
o Agreed they
needed a
stronger
national
government
o Wanted 3
branches of
government
o Wanted a
federal
system
(the federal &
state governments
share power)
Anti-Federalists
 Opposed ratification of
the Constitution
 Favored a weaker strong
national government &
stronger state
governments
 Insisted on having a Bill of
Rights
 Wanted 3 branches of
government, but wanted
the LEGISLATIVE branch to
be the most powerful
 Feared a 1 person executive
would be like a king
 Patrick Henry, Samuel
Adams, & John Hancock