Question

During the Constitutional Convention there were two rival factions, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Both groups wished to secure the rights of the people; however, they had different ideas about how to do that. Discuss whether you agree with the Federalists or the Anti-Federalists. Support your answer with a well- constructed and concise argument.

Answer 1

In the endorsement argument, the Anti-Federalists countered the Constitution. They criticized that the new arrangement threatened liberties, & failed to safeguard individual rights. The Anti-Federalists were not exactly a united cluster, but rather involved several elements.

One faction countered the Constitution as they believed that stronger government threatened the states’ sovereignty. Others stated that a new centralized government would contain all the traits of the despotism of Britain they had fought to dissociate themselves from. And some others feared that the new regime threatened their individual liberties.

During the push for endorsement, several of the articles in opposition were penned under pseudonyms, like Centinel & Federal Farmer but few famous revolutionary people like Patrick Henry came to the forefront publicly against the Constitution.

Though the Anti-Federalists weren’t successful in the deterrence of the adoption of the Constitution, their attempts were responsible for the development of the Bill of Rights.