What were 2 main beliefs of the Anti-Federalists?
Many Anti-Federalists preferred a weak central government because they equated a strong government with British tyranny. Others wanted to encourage democracy and feared a strong government that would be dominated by the wealthy. They felt that the states were giving up too much power to the new federal government.
What were the main arguments for and against the Constitution?
The Federalists wanted a strong government and strong executive branch, while the anti-Federalists wanted a weaker central government. The Federalists did not want a bill of rights —they thought the new constitution was sufficient. The anti-federalists demanded a bill of rights.
What did anti-Federalists argue quizlet?
The Anti-Federalists argued that the new Constitution would destroy the liberties won in the American Revolution. They believed the new Constitution would create a national government so powerful that it would ignore the rights of the states. It had no bill of rights to protect individual freedoms.
What basic argument did the Federalists use to support ratification?
The Federalists wanted a strong government and strong executive branch, while the anti-Federalists wanted a weaker central government. The Federalists did not want a bill of rights —they thought the new constitution was sufficient.
Why did the Anti federalists oppose the federal government?
Other Anti-federalists objected that such a system would only work if the national government gradually usurped all powers from the states, resulting in what they called a “consolidated” government.
Who was the Anti Federalist who wrote against the ratification?
Many of the Anti-Federalists wrote articles against the ratification under pseudonyms such as Centinel, Brutus and Federal Farmer. Some of them came forward publicly against the ratification, an example being Patrick Henry.
Who was the Anti-Federalist delegate in New York?
Anti-federalist Brutus (generally assumed to be New York delegate Robert Yates) summarized the issue thus:
What was the most contentious issue during the debate over the Constitution?
Throughout 1787-88, as Americans continued to debate the proposed Constitution, one of the most contentious issues was whether the Union – tightened into one indissoluble nation under a federal government – could be maintained without doing away with both liberty and the state governments.