FEDERALIST VS. ANTIFEDERALIST DEBATE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
 Constitution completed in September 1787
 After realizing the failure of a unanimous vote under
the Articles Constitution 9 of 13 states needed to
ratify the Constitution
 Constitutional Conventions were held in each state
 People were completely taken aback by a new
documents-expecting the Articles of Confederation
 Federalists and Anti-Federalists write numerous
editorials to convince their people of their
arguments.
 Brutus Vs. Publius in New York
TWO CAMPS OF OPINION
Camp 1- Federalists-Supported
Constitution as is.
Federal Government needs more power in
order to function– AoC FAIL because it was
weak and ineffective
States need to lose some sovereignty
Federal power is defined and limited. As such
it would protect the rights of the people.
TWO CAMPS OF OPINION
Anti-Federalists- Opposed to the
Constitution
Federal government has too much power
All “important” powers belong to the Federal
Government (it should belong to the state)
States had little power other than to oversee
the election of federal officials
“necessary and proper” and “supremacy
clause”- made the limitations on the Fed gov’t
pointless.
Constitution needed a Bill of Rights
Constitution only favored wealthy men and
preserved their power
FEDS VS. ANTI-FEDS
Feds basically win with the ratification of
the Constitution
All 13 states ratify Constitution after the
first Congress begins (North Carolina and
Rhode Island finally ratify in 1789 and
1790)
First Congress adds a Bill of Rights!
1 st order of business-very important to
Madison
FEDERALIST AND ANTI-FEDERALIST
PAPERS
 Famous Feds:
 Alexander Hamilton: Publius
 James Madison: Publius
 John Jay: Publius
 Famous Anti-Feds
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Robert Yates: Brutus
Patrick Henry: Senex?
Richard Henry Lee: Federal Farmer
Melancton Smith: A Plebian?
George Mason: Centinel
Elbridge Gerry: Brutus