Name: _______________________________
Date: ______________________
Period: ____________
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Big Idea: The struggle between centralized and decentralized authority creates tension that drives
conflict and compromise
Essential Question: Who is right—the Anti-Federalists or Federalists? In your view, which level of
government—national or state—is more likely to protect and enhance America’s core ideals?
In September of 1787, the delegates to the Convention in Philadelphia presented their work to
the American public for ratification. The proposed Constitution marked a clear departure from the
Articles of Confederation, which had essentially established a federal “league of friendship” between
thirteen sovereign and largely independent states. Under the newly proposed plan of government, the
union between the states would be strengthened under a national government that derived its
authority—at least in part—directly from the American people rather than purely from the state
legislatures. And under the new Constitution, the people would be represented equally in the House,
regardless of the state in which they lived—unlike the Articles of Confederation, according to which the
Continental Congress equally represented the states. In other words, the proposed Constitution would
make the United States a nation of one people rather than a loose confederation of states.
Despite the progress made to rewrite Articles of Confederation it still needed to be ratified
(approved) by the state governments. Delegates from all thirteen states would debate whether or not
to approve the proposed Constitution. The debate played out in newspapers across the country
between Anti-Federalists who opposed the new Constitution and the Federalists who supported it.
One of the major issues discussed between the two sides was the powers given to the national and state
governments. Since the Articles of Confederation had failed primarily because it gave too much power
to the state governments many delegates wanted the new government to have a strong central
government. However, there was still plenty of fear about a strong central government becoming an
abusive power.
The solution was a government system based on the concept of federalism . In other words,
power would be shared between the national and state (local) governments. Both the national and
state governments would have certain explicit (clear) powers as well as concurrent (shared) powers
between them. The opposite of this system of government is a centralized government, such as in
France and Great Britain, where the national government maintains all power.
1. What is federalism? How is it a compromise between the debate of state and national
governments?
2. Brainstorm some powers that the national and state governments had.
State
National
Both
Federalists v Anti-Federalists
Directions: Determine whether the following statements are Federalist (supporting the Constitution) or AntiFederalist (in opposition to the Constitution). Place an “F” on the line for Federalists and an “A” for AntiFederalists
Issue
Federalists

Who Should Govern?

National vs. State
Government?


How to Protect
Peoples’ Rights?
Support or Oppose
the Constitution?



Economic Issues?
Who Do You Get
Support From?


Anti-Federalists
Believed that the common people acted
foolishly and could not be trusted with
too much power
Elite, educated people should be in
charge
Favored a strong central government

Deep faith in the common people,
especially the farmer

Thought a Bill of Rights was unnecessary,
because the power to give freedoms
implies the power to take them away
Thought the system of “check and
balances” of power would prevent any
person or group of people from taking
peoples’ rights away
Strongly supported the Constitution,
believing it to be the country’s best
chance for success

Wanted a balanced economy of
agriculture, trade, finance, and
manufacturing
Wanted to be able to tax
People in urban areas, especially
merchants, skilled workers, and laborers

Favored a weak central government
and stronger state governments
Thought a Bill of Rights guaranteeing
specific rights to people was 100%
essential
Believed the government could ignore
peoples freedoms, such as freedom of
speech and of religion, unless they were
specifically protected
Did not support the Constitution
Believed the Constitution would serve
the interests of a privileged minority at
the expense of the majority of everyday
people
Agriculture should be the backbone of
the nation
Worried that a strong government
would tax everyday people too much
People in rural areas, farmers, frontier
settlers
Strongest support in the South and on
the frontier






1.
__________ The public good cannot be promoted effectively with the state governments sovereign (independent), for
example, look at the tax/credit problems.
2.
__________ The Constitution equally divides power between the general government and the state governments.
3.
__________ The powers of government are too heavily weighted in favor of the general government and against the
state governments.
4.
__________ The Constitution does not specifically protect the rights of the people allowing a national government to
ignore these rights.
5.
__________ If we remain an alliance of independent states, the Union will constantly fight.
6.
__________ A large republic as established under the constitution could more successfully elect proper representatives of
natural rights and therefore control the negative effects of various groups.
7.
__________ The Constitution grants too much power to the executive branch.
8.
__________ Government must be trusted in the hands of the common man in order to properly represent their interests.
9.
__________ The Constitution has provided a checks and balances system by which no one department can control or
dominate the others thus preventing the possibility of a dominate ruler
10. __________ Under the Constitution we will lose what we fought for in the Revolution.
Historical Head
Federalist
Directions: Using the information from the chart above fill in the historical head with at least 5 words and/or
images that represent the goals of a Federalist. You can draw images, use symbols or look for images online.
Number each item. On the bottom of the page, write a corresponding explanation of each item, why you chose
it and how it reflects the views of a Federalist, Make your head colorful and eye-catching and your explanation
accurate and convincing.
Explanation:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Historical Head
Anti-Federalist
Directions: Using the information from the chart above fill in the historical head with at least 5 words and/or
images that represent the goals of an Anti-Federalist. You can draw images, use symbols or look for images
online. Number each item. On the bottom of the page, write a corresponding explanation of each item, why
you chose it and how it reflects the views of a Federalist, Make your head colorful and eye-catching and your
explanation accurate and convincing.
Explanation:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________