FEDERALISTS AND
ANTIFEDERALISTS
Chapter 2 Section 5
A CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHING A
STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
The chief worry of the Antifederalists was that the states
would lose influence with the growth in the national
government’s power
Federalists: Favored
Antifederalists: Opposed
EMPOWERING THE 13 STATES
Local control was key to Antifederalist concept of
democracy. This issue would boil up in states’ rights fights
in 1800s
Federalists argued that Senate (with two representatives
per state) adequately represented state interests
Federalists: Opposed
Antifederalists: Favored
BILL OF RIGHTS
The absence of a Bill of Rights in the original
Constitution was seen as a real threat to individual
citizens’ liberties by the Antifederalists
Federalists: Opposed
Antifederalists: Favored
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Antifederalists thought the Articles needed to be
amended, not abandoned.
Federalists thought the Articles were ineffectual as a
governing document. Congress’ power was limited to
requesting cooperation from states.
Federalists: Opposed
Antifederalists: Favored
EXPANSION OF THE NATION
No experiment in democracy on a scale of America had
ever been attempted
Federalists thought a large republic was seen as the best
protection for individual freedoms
Antifederalists envisioned a small republic that could
protect individual rights
Federalists: Favored
Antifederalists: Opposed
A CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHING A
STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
Federalists: Favored
Antifederalists: Opposed
POLITICAL SUPPORTERS
Fe d e r a l i s t s
Antifederalists
Large farmers, merchants, and
artisans
Small farmers, often from rural areas
Only a few men of wealth joined the
Antifederalist cause